An audit of the quality of HCR-20 violence risk assessments in a low secure service

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piyal Sen ◽  
Simone Lindsey ◽  
Nilanjan Chatterjee ◽  
Rajesh Rama-Iyer ◽  
Marco Picchioni
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Information Gathering ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Clinical Judgement ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Secure Unit ◽  
Quality Tool

AbstractIntroductionThe HCR-20 is one of the most popular structured clinical judgement tools used in forensic settings; yet, there are no published tools to assess the quality of its use. This study used the CAI-V, a tool to assess the competency of those carrying out risk assessment, to develop a quality tool for the use of HCR-20.MethodThe audit was carried out between July 2012 and July 2013 on all patients resident in St Andrew’s Essex, a low secure unit. The results of the first audit led to an action plan for clinical improvement, subsequently re-audited a year later.ResultsMost of the HCR-20 ratings scored in the competent range in both audits, but the greatest weakness was identified in the treatment planning section. The re-audit showed improvement, but there remained areas for development.DiscussionThe audit highlighted broad areas of improvement like the need for full multidisciplinary involvement, more attention to formulation, and the need for greater consultation and information gathering from outside professionals and family members. The quality tool developed could be adapted to the requirements of any service, and used accordingly.

Violence risk assessment practices in Israel: a preliminary survey investigation

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-126
Author(s):  
Jay P. Singh ◽  
Rabeea Assy ◽  
Katrina I. Serpa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Violence Risk Assessment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the violence risk assessment practices in Israel by social workers, clinical criminologists, and marriage and family therapists using a Web-based survey. Design/methodology/approach A Web-based survey and participation letter were translated into Hebrew and distributed to members of the Israel Association of Social Workers, the Israel Society of Clinical Criminology and the Israel Association for Marital and Family Therapy following the Dillman Total Design Survey Method. Findings The sample was composed of 34 professionals, who reported using structured instruments to predict and manage the likelihood of violence in over half of their risk assessments over both their lifetime and the past 12 months. Younger female respondents who entered their profession more recently were more likely to use instruments during the risk assessment process. There appeared to be a trend toward decreased use of actuarial instruments and increased use in structured professional judgment instruments. Originality/value The first national survey of violence risk assessment practices by behavioral healthcare professionals in Israel was conducted. This study revealed the risk assessment utility trends in Israel, finding that compared to professionals in North America, South America, Europe, East Asia and Australia, professionals in Israel conducted fewer risk assessments and used structured instruments less often, highlighting concern about the lack of reliance on evidence-based techniques in the country.

Adjusting Actuarial Violence Risk Assessments Based on Aging or the Passage of Time

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant T. Harris ◽  
Marnie E. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Sex Offenders ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Risk Appraisal ◽  
Violence Risk Appraisal Guide ◽  
Violent Recidivism

Two studies herein address age, the passage of time since the first offense, time spent incarcerated, or time spent offense free in the community as empirically justified postevaluation adjustments in forensic violence risk assessment. Using three non-overlapping samples of violent offenders, the first study examined whether any of three variables (time elapsed since the first offense, time spent incarcerated, and age at release) were related to violent recidivism or made an incremental contribution to the prediction of violent recidivism after age at first offense was considered. Time since first offense and time spent incarcerated were uninformative. Age at release predicted violent recidivism but not as well as age at first offense, and it afforded no independent incremental validity. For sex offenders, age at first offense improved the prediction of violent and sexual recidivism. In the second study, time spent offense-free while at risk was related to violent recidivism such that an actuarial adjustment for the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide could be derived. The results support the use of adjustments (based on the passage of time) to actuarial scores, but only adjustments that are themselves actuarial.

The evolution of violence risk assessment

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 419-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Monahan ◽  
Jennifer L. Skeem
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Violence Risk Assessment ◽  
Many Instruments ◽  
Better Than

Many instruments have been published in recent years to improve the ability of mental health clinicians to estimate the likelihood that an individual will behave violently toward others. Increasingly, these instruments are being applied in response to laws that require specialized risk assessments. In this review, we present a framework that goes beyond the “clinical” and “actuarial” dichotomy to describe a continuum of structured approaches to risk assessment. Despite differences among them, there is little evidence that one instrument predicts violence better than another. We believe that these group-based instruments are useful for assessing an individual's risk, and that the instrument should be chosen based on the purpose of the assessment.

scholarly journals Improving Case Plans and Interventions for Adolescents on Probation: The Implementation of the SAVRY and a Structured Case Planning Form

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodi L. Viljoen ◽  
Catherine S. Shaffer ◽  
Nicole M. Muir ◽  
Dana M. Cochrane ◽  
Etta M. Brodersen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Propensity Scores ◽  
Probation Officers ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Violence Risk ◽  
Risk Assessment Tools ◽  
Case Planning ◽  
Local Tool

Even when probation officers use risk assessment tools, many of their clients’ needs remain unaddressed. As such, we examined whether the implementation of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY) and a structured case planning form resulted in better case plans as compared with prior practices (i.e., a nonvalidated local tool and an unstructured plan). Our sample comprised 216 adolescents on probation who were matched via propensity scores. Adolescents in the SAVRY/Structured Plan condition had significantly better case plans than those in the preimplementation condition. Specifically, following implementation, adolescents’ high need domains were more likely to be targeted in plans. Plans also scored higher on other quality indicators (e.g., level of detail). These improvements appeared to be due primarily to the structured plan rather than the SAVRY. Overall, our findings highlight that, just as structure can improve risk assessments, so too might structure improve case plans.

scholarly journals Measuring intimate partner violence risk: A national survey of Canadian police officers

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-109
Author(s):  
Michael D. Saxton ◽  
Peter G. Jaffe ◽  
Anne-Lee Straatman ◽  
Laura Olszowy ◽  
Myrna Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Violence Risk

This study examined the role of police in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) and the type of strategies they apply across Canada based on a national survey of officers. The focus was on an examination of the types of structured tools Canadian police officers report using in their risk assessment strategies. The results suggest that Canadian police officers are reporting frequent engagement in risk assessments across jurisdictions. The survey findings indicate variability across provinces in the types of risk assessment tools police officers are using. Implications for future research include exploring specific provincial and territorial police risk assessment processes and the challenges in engaging in risk assessments.

scholarly journals 603 VTE Prophylaxis Compliance on The Burns Unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Sayed ◽  
E Murray ◽  
A Soueid
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Vte Prophylaxis ◽  
Nice Guideline ◽  
Operation Note ◽  
Burns Unit ◽  
Spread Sheet ◽  
Excel Spread Sheet

Abstract Aim To assess if VTE risk assessments are correctly completed and implemented on the Burns Unit. Method 2-week prospective analysis of all inpatients admitted to the adult Burns Unit. Data was collected from patient files and drug Kardexs. Variables including TBSA, date of injury, date of admission, date of VTE risk assessment score, correct prescription according to score and implementation were compiled in an excel spread sheet. Audited against Trust and NICE Guideline 89. Results The first cycle identified errors in risk assessment completion related to inaccurate BMI assessment and failure to identify the burn as a risk factor. The risk assessment was only re-assessed 71% of the time post operatively or following change in condition. An action plan included re-education of medical staff, reminder posters in theatre and re-designing the burns operation note to include a VTE re-assessment tick box. A re-audit showed an improvement in correct VTE scoring from 65% to 100% and VTE reassessment from 71% to 100%. Conclusions Following the first cycle, Wythenshawe Hospital Burns Unit has improved in compliance with the NICE and Trust Guidelines. The two most frequent errors identified on completion of the risk assessment form have not been seen in the second cycle following education of medical staff. All patients should continue to be prescribed the prophylaxis indicated, unless contraindicated. For those patients who cannot wear AES due to a burn to their lower legs, flowtrons and/or enoxaparin should be considered instead. For those patients who refuse treatment an incident form must be completed.

scholarly journals Quality of Resident Violence Risk Assessments in Psychiatric Emergency Settings

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Wong ◽  
Andrew Morgan ◽  
Treena Wilkie ◽  
Howard Barbaree
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Emergency ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Violence Risk
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