Date of this Version
10-17-2024
Document Type
DNP Project
Abstract
Background: The Baker Act is a crucial legal instrument allowing for the involuntary examination of individuals during mental health crises. However, in outpatient psychiatric settings, the lack of a standardized protocol complicates its implementation, leading to inefficiencies and potential risks for patients and providers.
Purpose: This project aimed to develop and implement a clinician-driven Baker Act protocol in the outpatient psychiatric setting, improving staff knowledge, confidence, and efficiency in crisis management.
Methodology: The intervention involved an educational program at Coastal Health Group Inc. focusing on training psychiatric nurse practitioners, therapists, and staff. A pre- and post- intervention design was used to assess changes in staff knowledge and confidence regarding the Baker Act. Data were collected through surveys administered via Qualtrics before and after the intervention.
Results: The results of the educational intervention revealed significant improvements in both knowledge and confidence levels regarding the Baker Act protocol. Prior to the intervention, only 15.3% of participants expressed confidence in their knowledge, with a mean score of 0.15 (SD = 0.12). After the intervention, this figure rose dramatically to 86%, with a mean score of 0.86 (SD = 0.00), a statistically significant improvement (t = -15.33, p < 0.001). Confidence in applying the Baker Act also saw a substantial increase, from 10% pre-intervention to 65% post- intervention, with a corresponding mean confidence score rising from 0.10 (SD = 0.07) to 0.65 (SD = 0.10). The paired t-test confirmed this improvement, with a mean difference of -0.55 (t = - 9.08, p < 0.001). These results highlight the effectiveness of the educational program in significantly enhancing staff competence and confidence in applying the Baker Act protocol.
Conclusions: The implementation of a structured Baker Act protocol in the outpatient psychiatric setting significantly enhanced staff knowledge and confidence. This suggests that such educational interventions can play a critical role in improving the effectiveness of crisis interventions, leading to safer and more efficient patient care in mental health settings.
Recommended Citation
Velazquez, Julie E., "Implementation of a Clinician-Driven Baker Act Protocol in the Outpatient Psychiatric Setting" (2024). Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing Student Projects. 293.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cnhs-studentprojects/293