Is aggressive behaviour influenced by the use of a behaviour rating scale in patients in a psychogeriatric nursing home?

Objective To study the influence of the introduction of a behaviour rating scale on reported incidence and management of aggressive behaviours in patients in a psychogeriatric nursing home. Design An 8‐month prospective cohort intervention study. Setting Two wards of a Dutch psychogeriatric nursing home with residents of 65 years and older. Patients All residents of the two wards were included (N=75). Intervention Social Dysfunction and Aggression Scale (SDAS) assessed at weekly intervals during 4 months after a 4 months' baseline period. Assessments During 8 months at 2 months' interval the BOP (ie the validated Dutch version of the Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale); frequency of aggressive behaviour reported at daily nursing staff report; mean prescriptions of psychotropic and somatic drugs; number of days a patient was submitted to physically restrictive measures. Results Eleven patients (N=11) did not complete the study; information on 64 patients was analysed. The frequency of aggressive behaviour reported by the nursing staff increased, while prescriptions of psychotropic drugs decreased. No alteration was found for BOP scores, mean prescriptions of somatic drugs and the use of physically restrictive measures. Conclusions The introduction of a behaviour rating scale does influence the reported incidence and management of aggressive behaviour. Prospective intervention studies should include a stabilization phase for measurements prior to any planned trial. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.