A Conceptual Framework for the Management of a COVID-19 Outbreak on a Secure Forensic Inpatient Unit

Responses to outbreaks of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in secure forensic settings have included several interventions, such as cohorting, assertive testing, isolation units, and infection control practices. The design of forensic facilities and the psychiatric impairment inherent to the patient population can make compliance with pandemic protocols challenging. In this study, we report on a COVID-19 outbreak on a low secure forensic inpatient unit in a large mental health hospital. For the 17 patients on the unit, we compared data from the 22-day COVID-19 outbreak period with the 30 days before the outbreak. We developed patient profiles that informed decision-making in COVID-19 outbreak management and developed a conceptual framework to identify interventions to effectively respond to and manage the outbreak. Patients had a decrease in as-needed nicotine replacement therapy during the outbreak. The average Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression score increased slightly across all patients during the outbreak, though these differences were not statistically significant. Although forensic settings present challenges in outbreak management, leveraging therapeutic alliance, highlighting the importance of working together, communicating the rationale for measures, and providing staff information and tools such as a conceptual framework can support patients’ following protocols and effective management of an outbreak.

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A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients and Staff on Inpatient Forensic Psychiatric Units in Canada During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Outbreaks of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on inpatient forensic psychiatry units present a unique challenge as early release is not possible and some facilities were not designed to achieve sustained social distancing. The enforcement of droplet and contact (D&C) precautions required by Public Health Ontario during an outbreak creates further confines and restrictions for patients that are typically subject to considerable constraints during their care. From December 2020 to January 2021, 30 clinicians and 12 patients on inpatient forensic psychiatry units under unit-wide D&C precautions during COVID-19 outbreaks completed a cross-sectional survey about their experience. We also conducted virtual focus groups to triangulate the qualitative feedback from clinicians. The survey and focus group discussions revealed similar themes of enablers, barriers, and desired changes to care provision during an outbreak. We discuss findings within the broader context of outbreak interventions and the provision of services to those living and working on forensic psychiatry inpatient units experiencing outbreaks requiring the unit-wide implementation of D&C precautions.

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