Broset Violence Checklist
Professional Psychiatric Risk Assessment Tool
Patient Assessment
Broset Violence Checklist Items
Check all items that are present (score = 1 for each checked item):
Extended Assessment Items
Additional indicators for more comprehensive risk assessment:
Assessment Results
Total Score
0Score: 0 out of 6
Risk Level
Patient shows minimal indicators of violence risk. Continue routine monitoring.
Recommendations
- • Continue routine monitoring
- • Reassess at next shift change
Items Indicated
- No items indicated
Assessment Summary
Patient ID: Not provided
Date & Time: Not provided
Assessor: Not provided
Complete the assessment and click "Calculate Risk Score" to see results
About BVC
- • Brief assessment tool
- • 6 observable items
- • Quick to administer
- • High predictive validity
- • Widely used internationally
Clinical Use
- • Psychiatric inpatient units
- • Emergency departments
- • Forensic settings
- • Crisis intervention teams
- • Mental health triage
Benefits
- • Early risk identification
- • Improved patient safety
- • Staff protection
- • Objective assessment
- • Evidence-based practice
When to Use Broset Violence Checklist
Shift Changes
Regular assessment during nursing shift changes to monitor changes in patient behavior and risk level.
Admission Screening
Initial violence risk assessment when patients are admitted to psychiatric facilities to determine appropriate level of observation.
Behavioral Changes
When patients exhibit sudden changes in behavior or increased agitation that may indicate escalating risk of violence.
Medication Changes
Assessment before and after significant medication changes that may affect patient behavior and impulse control.
Family Visits
Before and after family visits or other potentially stressful events that may trigger agitation or aggressive behavior.
Treatment Planning
As part of comprehensive treatment planning and risk management strategies for patients with history of violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Broset Violence Checklist?
The Broset Violence Checklist (BVC) is a brief, structured instrument designed to assess the risk of imminent violence in psychiatric patients. It consists of six items that are easily observable and can be quickly assessed by healthcare professionals.
How often should the BVC be administered?
The BVC should be administered at each nursing shift change, typically every 8-12 hours, or more frequently if the patient's condition changes rapidly. Regular assessment helps in early identification of increasing risk.
What are the six items in the Broset Violence Checklist?
The six items in the BVC are: 1) Confused or disoriented, 2) Irritable or angry, 3) Boisterous or noisy, 4) Verbally threatening, 5) Physically threatening, and 6) Attacking objects. Each item is scored as present (1 point) or absent (0 points).
What is the scoring system for the BVC?
Each item on the BVC is scored as either present (1 point) or absent (0 points). The total score ranges from 0 to 6. A score of 2 or more indicates increased risk of violence and should trigger appropriate interventions.
Who can use the Broset Violence Checklist?
The BVC is designed for use by healthcare professionals, particularly psychiatric nurses, mental health technicians, and other clinical staff working with psychiatric patients. It requires minimal training to administer effectively.
Is the Broset Violence Checklist reliable and valid?
Yes, the BVC has demonstrated good inter-rater reliability and predictive validity for short-term violence risk in psychiatric settings. It is one of the most widely used and researched brief violence risk assessment tools in mental health care.
What interventions should be implemented for high BVC scores?
For high BVC scores (2 or more), interventions may include increased observation, medication review, de-escalation techniques, environmental modifications, and implementation of the facility's violence prevention protocol. The specific interventions should be based on the individual patient's needs and the clinical setting.
Can the BVC be used in non-psychiatric settings?
While primarily designed for psychiatric settings, the BVC can be adapted for use in other healthcare settings such as emergency departments, where patients may exhibit agitated or potentially violent behavior due to various medical conditions or substances.
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