Characteristics of four types of patient assaults: fifteen-year analysis of the Assaulted Staff Action Program (ASAP) with EMS implications.

Thirty years of empirical research have documented the recurring risk of assault by psychiatric patients on emergency services and health care providers. Most studies have reported all patient assaults in the aggregate. However six studies that have reported physical assault, sexual assault, nonverbal intimidation, and verbal threats as separate categories have reported significant patient/staff victim differences in characteristics by category. This 15-year retrospective study examined patient assaults and their impact by four standard assault categories. Similarities and differences across assault categories are presented Methodological issues and the safety implications for emergency services are discussed.