NCJ Number
193131
Date Published
2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The Assaulted Staff Action Program (ASAP) is a voluntary, system-wide, peer-help, crisis intervention program for medical-care staff victims of patient assault, primarily in psychiatric hospitals; this chapter focuses on the structure and functions of an ASAP and on the empirical findings of ASAP's 10 years of service to its victims.
Abstract
ASAP offers a range of crisis intervention services to meet specific facility needs as they are required at differing times. They include individual crisis counseling, group crisis intervention, staff victims' support group, staff victim family outreach, and professional referrals. From April 1990 to April 2000, there were 16 ASAP teams in 3 U.S. States. These teams had over 500 members and volunteered 420,000 hours of service to 3,500 employees. The evaluation studies reported in this chapter in summary format are based on data obtained from the 13 Massachusetts teams during this 10-year period. All data were collected within the context of the ASAP, and all studies were peer reviewed. Taken collectively, the study findings provide initial support for the effectiveness of ASAP in enhancing workplace safety and in providing high-quality care to staff victims of workplace violence when it does occur. Although extensive anecdotal evidence from staff victims suggests the helpfulness of ASAP interventions, the need exists for a true randomized controlled study to assess whether ASAP is effective in mitigating acute stress disorder and in reducing or preventing posttraumatic stress disorder. Suggestions are offered for the design of such a research effort. 42 notes