Summary
The Sheppard Pratt Aggression Reduction Campaign (also known as SPARK) incorporates a number of approaches based on the recommended core strategies of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors to minimize the use of seclusion and restraints in the management of episodes of aggression among inpatients in a behavioral health facility. These strategies include an individualized safety plan incorporating various patient-specific management and prevention strategies, executive staff notification of all seclusion and restraint events, formal debriefings after each event, peer advocates, and staff mentoring. Early results from an ongoing analysis suggest that the program has reduced seclusion and restraint use, patient and staff injuries, “code green” calls (calls for staff assistance), and workers’ compensation claims.