Hospital Violence: Site, Severity, and Nurses' Preventive Training

Abstract

A sample of 663 nurses was surveyed about exposure to violence at the work site; 243 (37%) had faced violence. Hospitals with low response rates to the questionnaire reported less assault, yet the violence admitted to was described as more deadly. More nurses at public than private hospitals had obtained some training to handle potentially violent situations. Serious assault was negatively related to amount of training. At the public psychiatric hospital, violent acts were most frequent, but the rate of deadly violence (e.g., rape, use of knives or guns, etc.) was lowest. The need to train staffs at general as well as psychiatric hospitals was discussed.

Assaults against nurses of general and psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan

“…Violent incidents often occur due to disputes between patients and institutes, or because of anger regarding treatment (Yo et al 1998). The reported prevalence rates of workplace violence ranged widely, i.e., from 37 to 72% (Rosenthal et al 1992;Whittington et al 1996; Rose nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides during the period 1995-2004. They represent nearly 30% of the total number of workplace assaults.…”

Effects of Aggressive Behavior and Perceived Self-Efficacy on Burnout Among Staff of Homes for the Elderly

“…For example, in a study on nurses as patient assault victims, Lanza (1992) states that "the incidence of assault is high and vastly underreported" (p. 163). In a study on hospital violence Rosenthal, Edwards, Rosenthal, and Ackerman (1992) conclude that "underreporting of violent events by hospital personnel is a disturbing but frequent reality" (p. 349). When discussing stress among workers caring for the elderly McPherson et al (1994) suggest that "'stressed' staff tend to over-report, or that 'unstressed' staff tend to under-report aggression" (p. 385).…”

Differences Between Patient and Staff Perceptions of Aggression in Mental Health Units

“…Contributing factors associated with aggression include environmental factors (4,5), negative interactions (5-7), situational factors (6), power issues (5,(8)(9)(10), and patients' symptoms (4,10). Perceived ways of reducing aggression include improving security (10,11), increasing the number of staff (6,11), improving staff interpersonal skills, modifying the environment, enforcing legal penalties, improving staff training (6), making stricter unit rules, and increasing medication (11). Because of the emotional impact of aggression (1,2), debriefing after incidents of aggression has been recommended for staff and patients (4,10).…”