I work in a 600+ bed hospital and we utilize the training program offered by The Crisis Prevention Institute, Inc. and the International Association of Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. We had several members of our staff certified as instuctors by CPI/IANCI to provide training to the rest of the house. The training involves both verbal and non-violent physical interventions.
The crisis development model that is used is easily understood and helps staff to know what level of intervention is warranted. Our staff has been successful in recognizing the importance of establishing therapuetic rapport and providing support before a patient escalates to the point of being combative.
When verbal interventions aren't successful the staff recognizes the important of summoning help and utilizing the team approach to gain control over the acting out individual.