Aims: To measure the effectiveness of treatment in a low secure challenging behaviour unit and to identify predictors of change.
Method: Routine clinical data and outcome scores were collected on a case series of 86 patients admitted to and discharged from one low secure unit.
Results: Significant improvements were found on Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS), Staff Observed Aggression Scale (SOAS) and the Global Assessment Scale (GAS). Improvements in GAS and HoNOS were associated with moves to a lower level of security. Patients with a history of conviction for property damage, cannabis use, who were admitted on a forensic section or with a diagnosis of personality disorder were more likely to move to a higher level of security. Increased length of stay was related to the presence of physical assault, physical health problems and anxiety symptoms.
Conclusions: Clinical outcomes and behaviour improve during admission to one low secure unit and characteristics of the type of patients who respond to this form of treatment are proposed.
