Violence In The Healthcare Workplace

The next time you are in a hospital your nurse may be the target of a verbal or physical assault. The most common location is in the emergency department

Violence in the healthcare workplace is a significant issue affecting healthcare services and workers worldwide. It has far-reaching implications for the well-being of healthcare staff and can jeopardize patient care. Let's delve into the information provided to gain insights into the incidence, trends, and causes of violence in the healthcare workplace and explore measures to address this problem. 

Incidence and Trends of Workplace Violence in Emergency Departments (EDs) in the United Kingdom:A study conducted in the United Kingdom from January 2017 to March 2022 examined workplace violence (WPV) incidents in emergency departments (EDs). The research found that there were statistically significant increases in WPV during the COVID-19 pandemic in March and May 2020. 

Additionally, there were rising trends of WPV in specific regions like London and North-West England over the years preceding the pandemic. The study revealed alarming increases in WPV incidents, indicating a concerning trend in the EDs of the United Kingdom, potentially leading to a demoralized workforce and staff shortages [1].Insights on Workplace Violence Incidents in Healthcare in the United States:A survey conducted by Premier in collaboration with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) revealed that 40 percent of healthcare workers in the United States experienced workplace violence incidents in the last two years. 

The survey highlighted that nursing staff faced violence most frequently, with combative patients being responsible for more than half of all reported incidents. The survey also shed light on the profile of perpetrators, indicating that most were men between the ages of 35 and 65. A notable legislation, the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act of 2023, was introduced to enhance legal protections for healthcare workers against workplace violence [2].Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings in the United States: According to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report, three-quarters of all workplace assaults in the US occur in healthcare settings. 

Healthcare workers, especially nurses, are at an increased risk of being victims of workplace violence. Causes of violence in healthcare settings include factors like the opioid epidemic, reduced funding for behavioral healthcare, misinformation about COVID vaccinations, and restricted visits during isolation. New prevention standards have been mandated to address workplace violence in healthcare settings, emphasizing staff training, de-escalation techniques, and reporting processes [3].In conclusion, violence in the healthcare workplace is a serious concern affecting healthcare workers globally. It poses risks to staff well-being, patient care, and overall healthcare provision. Efforts to combat workplace violence include implementing preventative measures, providing staff training in de-escalation techniques, and enhancing legal protections for healthcare workers. Healthcare organizations need to prioritize employee safety and take comprehensive measures to address this issue effectively.

Women responding to the survey reported that incidents of workplace violence were evenly split between emotional or verbal assaults (50 percent of women responding) and physical or sexual abuse (50 percent). Men responding to the survey were more likely to experience physical abuse (62 percent) versus verbal or emotional assaults (38 percent). 

One in four nurses has been abused in the workplace. Overall, the likelihood of healthcare workers being exposed to violence is higher than prison guards or police officers.

Healthcare workers accounted for 73 percent of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses due to violence in 2018.

The most frequent perpetrators are family of the patient.