Predictors of events of violence or aggression against nurses in the workplace: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim To identify predictors and consequences of violence or aggression events against nurses and nursing students in different work contexts. Background Workplace violence against nurses and nursing students is a very common and widespread phenomenon. Actions to manage or prevent violent events could be implemented knowing the risk factors and consequences. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews that summarize knowledge on the predictors and consequences of workplace violence. Evaluation A scoping review was conducted using electronic databases including APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane, Ovid Medline, PubMed and Scopus. Key issues After full text analysis, 87 papers were included in the current scoping review. Risk factors of horizontal violence were grouped into ‘personal’ and ‘Environmental and organizational’, and for violence perpetrated by patients into ‘personal’, ‘Environmental and organizational’ and ‘Characteristics of the perpetrators’. Conclusions The results of this scoping review uncover problems that often remain unaddressed, especially where these episodes are very frequent. Workplace violence prevention and management programmes are essential to counter it. Implications for Nursing Management The predictors and the consequents identified constitute the body of knowledge necessary for nurse managers to develop and implement policy and system actions to effectively manage or prevent violent events.

Implementation of an Assault Prevention Quality Improvement Initiative in an Urban Emergency Department

“…A review of assaults revealed factors such as a history of homelessness, incarceration, drug dependency, and psychiatric disorders with multiple ED visits and a history of aggressive behavior. Assaults occurred by patients who interacted with nurses and providers who had less than 2 years of experience, which is in line with previous research 16,26. The predominant situational trigger for violence was the patient not wanting to be discharged.…”

“…Assaults occurred by patients who interacted with nurses and providers who had less than 2 years of experience, which is in line with previous research. 16,26 The predominant situational trigger for violence was the patient not wanting to be discharged. High levels of pain were noted in patients with assaultive events.…”

“…3,5,12,14 In addition, staff inexperience, limited staff knowledge and skills, and inappropriate communication styles were associated with assaults by patients and visitors. [15][16][17] Environmental and organizational characteristics are known risk factors associated with violence toward HCWs. Risk assessments and environmental design are strategies that can reduce workplace injuries related to violence.…”

“…Several studies found that nurses with less than 5 years of experience, who are female, White, and younger than 30 years were at higher risk for WPV 3,5,12,14. In addition, staff inexperience, limited staff knowledge and skills, and inappropriate communication styles were associated with assaults by patients and visitors 15–17…”

Older people's experiences of elder abuse in residential care settings: A scoping review

“…In contrast to adopting the widely used Population, Concept and Context (PCC) framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) (Peters et al, 2020), the research questions were formulated using the PEO approach (Table 1), considering the Population (types of participants), Exposure of interest (independent variable (elder abuse)) and Outcome (dependent variable (safeguarding)) components. Pagnucci et al (2022) and Bettany-Saltikov (2010) recommend the PEO framework as suitable for qualitative research questions. An a priori protocol was developed, although not published.…”