Enhancing safety in behavioral emergency situations

Medsurg Nurs. 2012 Nov-Dec;21(6):335-41.

Abstract

The implementation of a behavioral emergency response team (BERT) at a large midwestern health care organization is described. The BERT is a resource supporting nurses and other health care staff in managing behavioral emergencies. The Joint Commission (2010) reported an increasing rate of violence by patients toward health care staff, reinforcing a need for the BERT. No published reports were found in the literature of a BERT utilizing multidisciplinary mental health experts and security officers as responders. Development strategies, response data, and outcomes of this successful initiative are highlighted.

MeSH terms

  • Emergencies
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Nursing Care*
  • Occupational Health*
  • Psychiatric Nursing
  • Violence
  • Workplace