Countering workplace aggression: an urban tertiary care institutional exemplar

PURPOSE: The purpose of this process improvement project was to provide nursing staff with evidence-based knowledge and skills to manage patients and/or visitors with the potential for violence. SIGNIFICANCE: Current statistics describing workplace violence in healthcare settings are alarming. Workplace violence significantly impacts nursing practice and may contribute to physical injuries, psychological trauma, decreased productivity, and low morale among nurses. This is particularly germane to those nurses who have been inadequately trained to manage aggressive patients and/or family behaviors. RATIONALE: Following a series of disruptive episodes on the pulmonary-medical service that occurred at our facility in the winter of 2006, an employee safety team was formed to address the issue of workplace violence. Around this same time frame, a team comprising system hospital representatives was also initiated to globally address workplace violence. METHODS/DESCRIPTION: A Workplace Violence Education Program was devised to equip nurses with information, skills, and practical tools that will empower them when encountering clinical situations characterized by disruptive or abusive patient and/or family behaviors. The ultimate goal was to diffuse progressive, escalating aggressive behaviors in the clinical setting. FINDINGS/OUTCOMES: Evidence-based approaches formed the basis of an educational offering focusing on workplace violence prevention and management. This informational intervention was devised to empower clinical nursing staff with knowledge to enhance judgment, decision making, and implementation of behavioral strategies to reduce the likelihood of patient/family behaviors escalating to aggression. CONCLUSION: Interdisciplinary collaboration that included clinical experience, expertise, and knowledge generated from current literature reviews contributed to a successful educational program for nurses focusing on a historically neglected topic--workplace violence.     

The impact of training program on nurses' attitudes toward workplace violence in Jordan

BackgroundNurses' attitudes toward workplace violence are still inadequately explored, and possess an impact in preventing, and managing the violent incidents and the quality of nursing care. Creating a demand for an effective intervention program to improve nurses' knowledge of and attitudes toward workplace violence.ObjectiveTo study the impact of the training program on nurses' attitudes toward workplace violence in a military hospital in Jordan.MethodsOne group before–after design was employed. A stratified random sample of 100 nurses working in three shifts was recruited. Data were collected earlier and after the preparation program using the Attitudes Toward Patient Physical Assault Questionnaire. “The Framework Guidelines for addressing workplace violence in the health sector”, was adopted in this work. The preparation sessions were for one day each week over five weeks. The post-test assessment was over five weeks using the same questionnaire.ResultsA total of 97 nurses completed the survey. The outcomes demonstrated the significant impact of the training program on nurses' attitudes towards workplace violence (t = 6. 62, df = 96, p = 0.000). The prevalence of verbal abuse by patients and visitors was 63.9% and for physical abuse, 7.2% were from patients and 3.1% of visitors. Most violent incidents occurred during day duty and during delivering nursing care (40.2% and 32%, respectively). Major source of emotional support for abused nurses was from the nursing team (88.7%), while the legal support was from nursing management (48.5%).ConclusionThe study highlights a general concern among nursing staff about workplace violence. Confirming that violence prevention education for staff is a necessary step forward to deescalate the problem. A significant effect of the training program was evident in this study.     

What general emergency nurses want to know about mental health patients presenting to their emergency department

This paper presents the findings of a qualitative project conducted to investigate the education and training requirements that non-mental health trained emergency nurses need to enable them to effectively care for psychiatric patients presenting to a West Australian emergency department. Non-mental health trained nurses are ill-equipped in their psychiatric knowledge, assessment and communication skills to provide best possible care to the one in ten patients presenting to the emergency department with a complex mental health issue. The area of assessment and management of mental health patients in the emergency department is a complex one and staff are required to assess, triage and manage these patients appropriately. Furthermore, with aggression and violence increasing, emergency department nurses are concerned about their safety in the workplace. Focus groups with emergency nurses and semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts were conducted at one West Australian teaching hospital. The findings of the project demonstrated that these nurses considered that customer focus, workplace aggression and violence, psychiatric theory, mental health assessment and chemical dependence as key learning areas. These findings will form a platform for further education and training for ED staff.     

Violence towards nursing staff in emergency departments in one Turkish city

AIM: To determine the incidence of violence faced by nurses in emergency departments (ED) in a Turkish city, whether any of the incidents were reported and what legal action was taken. The second aim was to identify nurses' attitudes towards these incidents and the relevance of their professional background. METHODS: Data were collected by questionnaire from the nurses working in the ED of four major hospitals in Izmir, Turkey. The questionnaire consisted of 34 questions seeking socio-demographic data, information on verbal and physical victimization and legal processes. RESULTS: Sixty-six nurses (72%) agreed to participate in the study. One third (34.8%) of participants were relatively new in the profession (0-5 years), and the majority of nurses (71.2%) had an ED experience of less than 5 years. The incidence of verbal violence (98.5%) was significantly more frequent than physical violence (19.7%). However, most incidents remained unreported (83.5%); most of the reported cases did not result in legal action (63.7%). Almost half of the nurses believed that possible explanations for the violent incidents they faced were because they were less competent and inexperienced in the profession than more senior colleagues. DISCUSSION: Victimized respondents mostly preferred to remain silent and did not report the incidents to the hospital administration since they believed that this would not result in legal action. It seems evident that our country lacks legal processes concerning job (workplace) violence. Effective legislative arrangements are necessary. Nurses and other ED staff also need continuing education concerning their rights and personal safety.     

Strategies for nurse leaders to address aggressive and violent events

According to a 2010 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 48% of all nonfatal injuries from occupational assaults and violent acts occur in healthcare and social service settings. A recent increase in workplace violence has been noted causing a heightened awareness among nurses. Information is scarce both in the literature and in healthcare settings regarding the proper steps to take in the event that violence occurs and de-escalation techniques for aggressive behavior do not work. Nurse leaders should prioritize time to become involved in developing and implementing workplace violence policies including offering education for nurses to deal with aggressive behaviors and violent acts and, learn de-escalation techniques.     

急诊科护士工作场所暴力与职业紧张现状及其相关性分析

目的:探讨急诊科护士工作场所暴力与职业紧张之间的关系,为预防急诊科护士工作场所暴力提供理论依据。方法:采用医院工作场所暴力调查量表和职业紧张目录问卷对广州市5家急诊科护士进行调查。结果:80.2%的急诊科护士在过去一年中遭受过工作场所暴力,其中辱骂、威胁、身体攻击的发生率分别为77.6%、62.0%、22.3%。急诊科护士的职业紧张平均得分为296.62分,职业任务平均得分为132.08分,紧张反应平均得分为67.52分,应对资源平均得分为87.11分。影响工作场所暴力的职业紧张因素从大到小排列依次是工作环境、休闲应对资源、心理紧张反应、任务不适、躯体紧张反应、任务过重、任务冲突。结论:急诊科护士工作场所暴力发生率高,急诊科护士工作场所暴力受职业紧张影响。     

Inpatient management of violent behavior: nursing prevention and intervention

Psychiatric nurses in inpatient settings play a critical role in the management of potentially violent patients. One of their primary objectives is to ensure the safety of patients and staff 24 hours a day. This requires skillful observation of patients' motor behavior, verbal clues, and change in mental status, which may indicate an increase in agitation or possible aggressive behavior. It requires experience in prevention strategies and skill in acute crisis intervention techniques. To effectively intervene with potentially violent patients, psychiatric nurses must be able to work well under stress and be able to organize and execute a plan of immediate action. After the acute stage of the patient's illness, nurses should focus their work on assisting patients to manage their own behavior and supporting their newly acquired skills.     

Violence towards emergency department nurses by patients

Emergency department (ED) violence is a significant problem in many hospitals. This study identified the incidence of violence by patients towards nurses in two EDs. Patient factors related to violence were identified and the circumstances surrounding the violent incident were described. Of the 71 ED nurses who participated, 50 (70%) reported 110 episodes of violence in a five-months period. That is approximately five violent incidents per week. Violence was reported most often on evening shifts (n=41, 37%). The nurses' perceived that the perpetrators of violence were under the influence of alcohol (n=30, 27%) and drugs (n=27, 25%) and displayed behaviours associated with mental illness (n=42, 38%). Nurses in this study were sworn at (n=67, 61%), pushed (n=11, 10%), hit (n=3, 3%), and kicked (n=3, 3%). Identification of trends and patterns of violence is necessary so that better health care planning and service provision as well as effective preventative and safe strategies for nurses in the workplace can be implemented.     

FROM THE EDITOR—I NEVER HEARD “WALTZING MATILDA”: NOTES FROM A CONFERENCE IN SYDNEY,AUSTRALIA

Psychiatric nurses in inpatient settings play a critical role in the management of potentially violent patients. One of their primary objectives is to ensure the safety of patients and staff 24 hours a day. This requires skillful observation of patients′ motor behavior, verbal clues, and change in mental status, which may indicate an increase in agitation or possible aggressive behavior. It requires experience in prevention strategies and skill in acute crisis intervention techniques. To effectively intervene with potentially violent patients, psychiatric nurses must be able to work well under stress and be able to organize and execute a plan of immediate action. After the acute stage of the patient's illness, nurses should focus their work on assisting patients to manage their own behavior and supporting their newly acquired skills.     

Violence and aggression in the emergency department: A critical care perspective.

Aggression and violence are common in the Emergency setting, with nurses out-ranking police and prison officers in exposure to workplace violence. This paper examines the current literature to identify the incidence of violence within the ED, precipitators of violence and aggression and the government policy directive of 'zero tolerance'. Methods of managing violence and aggression are explored, including environmental management, de-escalation, pharmacological and physical restraint and seclusion and these are linked to course content recommended for staff training.     

Becoming and being a preceptor: a phenomenological study

Preceptorship is a valuable component of nursing courses today and is seen as vital to the professional preparation of student nurses. Preceptors facilitate the development of knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitudes in nursing through guidance, supervision, role modeling, and personal development of the student. They also help to orient and socialize the student to the real nursing workplace environment. Being a preceptor in nursing has been identified as time-consuming and requiring clinical teaching skills that many registered nurses (RNs) perceive they do not possess. This article outlines how a small group of RNs from one selected workplace developed their preceptor abilities through undertaking the preceptor program run by Avondale College to prepare them for this important role.     

Violence in A&E: the role of training and self-efficacy

AIM: To determine the amount of violence experienced by a sample of A&E staff during a three-month period, and to explore the effect of aggression management training and exposure to violence on their self-efficacy in dealing with aggressive patients. METHOD: A small-scale questionnaire survey was undertaken of 130 staff. RESULTS: 76 (58 per cent) responded. The findings suggested that verbal and physical violence were a common occurrence. The type and amount of aggression management training were variable. Greater self-efficacy in managing aggressive behaviour was observed in higher grades of staff, and in staff who had experienced higher levels of verbal aggression. CONCLUSION: Violence against nurses was widely reported. Their aggression management training did not appear to equip them with the skills required to manage this behaviour.     

Violence in New South Wales emergency departments.

In 1999 the International Council of Nurses recognised workplace violence as a significant issue in nursing. During the same year the Australian Institute of Criminology reported that health was the most violent industry. This study examined the nature and extent of violence in NSW hospital emergency departments. Emergency nurses experienced violent incidents in their department, in the wards and outside the hospital setting. Every respondent (n=266) experienced some form of violence at least weekly. Ninety-two incidents involved lethal weapons. Ninety-two percent of perpetrators were patients or their relatives, however other staff members were also implicated. Non-reporting of violence is an issue as over 70% of incidents were not referred to authorities. Drugs, alcohol and emergency department waiting times are the most significant predisposing factors. Most emergency nurses are not satisfied with the response of administration to violent incidents within hospitals.     

Violence in the Emergency Department: A National Survey of Emergency Medicine Residents and Attending Physicians

Background: Violence in the Emergency Department (ED) is a well-known phenomenon. Few studies have been done to assess the incidence and nature of violence in the ED. Study Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of violence in the ED nationwide. Methods: This study was a prospective, cross-sectional online survey of Emergency Medicine (EM) residents and attending physicians. Of the 134 accredited United States (US) EM residency programs, 65 programs were randomly selected and invited to participate. Results: Overall, 272 surveys were returned, of which 263 (97%) were completed and further analyzed. At least one workplace violence act in the previous 12 months was reported by 78% (95% confidence interval 73–83%) of respondents, with 21% reporting more than one type of violent act. Workplace violence was experienced similarly between males and females (79% vs. 75%, respectively; p = 0.65), and was more common in EDs with annual volumes over 60,000 patients (82% vs. 67%; p = 0.01). The most common type of workplace violence was verbal threats (75%) followed by physical assaults (21%), confrontations outside the workplace (5%), and stalking (2%). Security was available full time in most settings (98%), but was least likely to be physically present in patient care areas. The majority of respondent EDs did not screen for weapons (40% screened) or have metal detectors (38% had metal detectors). Only 16% of programs provided violence workshops, and less than 10% offered self-defense training. Conclusion: Despite the high incidence of workplace violence experienced by the emergency physicians who responded to our survey, less than half of these respondents worked in EDs that screened for weapons or had metal detectors. An even smaller number of physicians worked in settings that provided violence workshops or self-defense training.     

Violence in the accident and emergency department

A survey of Accident and Emergency nurses was undertaken to study the prevalence, types and possible precipitating factors of violence in the workplace. Violence was sub-divided into physical and verbal. Verbal violence was more common than physical assault but often not reported. Often physical violence is under-reported but in fact had affected one third of respondents. Associations with different types of violence are discussed. The need for further training in defusing violent situations and analysis of violent incidents is identified. Some suggestions for inclusion in a training programme are given.     

Factors affecting Israeli nurses' reports of violence perpetrated against them in the workplace: A test of the theory of planned behaviour

Ben Natan M, Hanukayev A, Fares S. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17 : 141–150 Factors affecting Israeli nurses' reports of violence perpetrated against them in the workplace: A test of the theory of planned behaviour Violence against nurses in the workplace is universal. Violence has negative implications for nurses, their patients and the medical facility. Nonetheless, violent incidents are only infrequently reported (20–25%). A correlational design was used to examine whether the guiding conceptual model, constructed of the variables: assailant traits, victim traits and type of violence, succeeds in predicting a nurse's decision to report violence perpetrated against them in the workplace. Data were gathered with a structured questionnaire, constructed specifically for the current research and based on the literature review and research model. The research population was sampled by convenience sampling and consisted of nurses from general hospitals in northern and central Israel of 220 nurses, of whom nearly 72% (n = 158) had experienced violent incidents over the past year, mainly verbal abuse by patients' relatives. Only 26.6% (n = 42) reported violent incidents in written form. Most reports were submitted to the nurse in charge of the department. Correlations were found between assailant traits (identity and mental state) and victim traits (sociodemographic characteristics and attitudes on and perceptions of reporting) and intention and actual report. Nurses' normative beliefs regarding reporting violence had the greatest effect on intention to report.