The expression and comparison of ward incident rates.

The expression of ward incident rates in past research has been unclear and disorganized, resulting in incomparability of information between studies and a lack of precision. Five methods of incident rate calculation and expression are named and described in this article, and their advantages and disadvantages are delineated. Modest recommendations are made as to how researchers should use and express incident rates in the study of violence, absconding, self-harm, seclusion, constant observation, and other such behaviors.