By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

The Child Study Treatment Center in Lakewood, Washington has seen an increase in staff assaults in early 2024, with rates more than doubling compared to 2023, according to the Washington State Standard. Data from the Department of Social and Health Services shows the assault rate rose from 32.8 per 10,000 patient days last year to 84 per 10,000 patient days in the first four months of this year. 

In contrast, the report says assault rates at the state's two adult behavioral health hospitals have decreased. Eastern State Hospital saw a drop from 7.91 to 4.27 assaults per 10,000 patient days, while Western State Hospital's rate slightly decreased from 8.68 to 8.58. 

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Staffing issues, such as a 25.2 percent vacancy rate for psychiatric care counselors and a 23.1 percent rate for registered nurses, are also contributing factors, according to the report. 

In response, the state is working on safety improvements at all three hospitals, including adding seclusion rooms, enhancing staff training and expanding evidence-based behavior therapy. Efforts to reduce vacancy rates and increase verbal de-escalation training are also being prioritized. 

De-escalation training is key to diffusing tense situations with either staff or patients. The Crisis Prevention Institute lists the following tips for effective de-escalation:  

• Be empathetic and don’t judge the feelings of the person in distress. 
• Respect personal space and boundaries. 
• Use non-threatening body language. 
• Keep personal emotions in check and remain calm. 
• Focus on the feelings of the person in distress. 
• Don’t engage with challenging questions. 
• Set reasonable limits for the person, offering respectful choices and consequences. 
• Choose wisely which rules are negotiable and which are not. 
• Allow some silence in the situation for self-reflection. 
• Allow time for the person to think through their decisions. 

Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor for the facilities market.