Clinical Assessment Tools

Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS)

The BARS allows for a quick assessment of agitation via a numerical rating score of 1 to 7.

Overt Agitation Severity Scale (OASS)

Designed to assess agitation, this comprehensive evaluation scale relies on the observation of specific agitation-related behaviors and the frequencies at which they manifest.

Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Excited Component (PANSS-EC)

This subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale specifically evaluates excited states by assessing patients for 5 items: poor impulse control, tension, hostility, uncooperativeness, and excitement.

American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA Guidelines:

Use and avoidance of seclusion and restraint: consensus statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA Seclusion and Restraint Workgroup.

Knox DK, Holloman GH, Jr. West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(1)35-40.

Medical evaluation and triage of the agitated patient: consensus statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA Medical Evaluation Workgroup.

Nordstrom K, et al. West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(1):3-10.

Verbal de-escalation of the agitated patient: consensus statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA De-escalation Workgroup.

Richmond JS, et al. West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(1):17-25.

Psychiatric evaluation of the agitated patient: consensus statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA Psychiatric Evaluation Workgroup.

Stowell KR, et al. West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(1):11-16.

The psychopharmacology of agitation: consensus statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA Psychopharmacology Workgroup.

Wilson MP, et al. West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(1):26-34.