Qualitative study of the agitation states and their characterization, and the interventions used to attend them.

Introduction: Agitation is a common problem in psychiatric care with serious clinical and economic consequences.

Methodology: The aim of the study was to define and characterize the agitation states present in usual medical practice in the acute and emergency units of a psychiatric hospital. Two nominal groups, one with 7 nurses and the other with 10 psychiatrists from the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, were established.