Managing Challenging Patient Behaviors: 101 De-escalation Strategies for Healthcare Professionals – Valerie Vestal

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In today’s healthcare environment, professionals are challenged to do more with less. Reduced staffing and (at times, the seemingly unrealistic) increased demands from patients, family members and other visitors can all contribute to burnout. Adding to the complicating factors, you are continually expected to achieve optimal patient outcomes, ensure safety and quality goals, and strive for even higher levels on satisfaction scores.

In this recording, expert clinician, Valerie R. Vestal, MSN, PMHNP-BC, will provide you with practical tips and tools that you can use immediately when faced with challenging patient and family behaviors. This program includes practical strategies to help you cope with difficult situations like aggression, dementia, and attention-seeking behaviors while maintaining patient and staff safety. The program will be filled with opportunities to apply many of these strategies through real patient situations, case studies and recorded interactive discussions. Don’t miss this chance to learn techniques you can implement successfully with your most difficult patients.

1. Determine criteria for high-risk behavior.
2. Apply interpersonal effectiveness skills to patient evaluation.
3. Analyze effective strategies to de-escalate dangerous behavior.
4. Assess for the symptoms of major illness that interfere with treatment.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of your communication skills to de-escalate aggressive behavior.
6. Compare approaches to various high-risk patient profiles.

Lowering Risk for Dangerousness in Patient Encounters

• Priority is Safety
  • Understanding Risk for Dangerousness
  • Mechanisms for Coping
  • Strategies to Deal with the Angry Patient

Healthcare Goals

• Treatment Focused
• Do No Harm
• Clear Boundaries

Evaluating the Patient

• Ask the Right Questions
• Understand Patient’s Motivation
• Motivational Interviewing: Asking, Listen, Inform
• Engage Patients in Focused Communication
• Listen with Empathy
• Empower the Patient

Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

• Self-Awareness
• What Type of Communicator Are You?
• Reciprocal Communication Strategies
• Clinician Self-Care

Engage Patients in Focused Communication

• Understand Patient’s Level of Communication
• Support the Patient’s Goal
• Multi-Disciplinary Intervention

Treatment Team Concept

• Navigating Difficult Dynamics
• Mediation & Leadership Roles
• Engage Families Constructively

Understanding Challenging Symptoms

• The Mentally Ill Patient
• Know Your Limits
• Understand Chronic & Severe Mental Illness

Severe Mental Illness

• Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorders
• Substance-Induced Psychosis
• Bipolar Disorder
• Major Depression
• Anxiety Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder

Disorders with Unique Risk

• Developmental Disabilities
• Delirium
• Dementia
• Substance Abuse
• Special Considerations for Violent Patients

Acute Crisis

• Sexual Assault
• Domestic Violence
• Suicidal Ideation & Risk