WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Workplace Violence in Health Care

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Abstract

Workplace violence in health care has become a very popular topic of debate among the society. Healthcare workers experience hostile encounters very frequently. Medical nurses in America have experienced workplace violence at least once in their professional careers. This paper discusses the factors contributing to workplace violence, ethical and legitimate factors, and professional nursing association policy statements including ENA, JACHO and AAOHN. Furthermore, it presents preventive strategies and measures designed by the health care institutions to minimize such assaults and hostile activities.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Introduction1

Factors Contributing to Work Place Violence1

Environmental Factors1

Work-Related Factors2

Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Work Place Violence2

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations3

American Association of Occupational Health Nurses3

Emergency Nurses Association3

Recognition of Escalating Violence and Intervention Strategies4

During the Incident4

Post-Incident4

Role of Occupational Health Nurse5

Conclusion5

References7

Workplace Violence in Health Care

Introduction

Workplace in health care varies from violence experienced by people in other industries. Healthcare workers coordinate closely with their patients and their families. These people are obviously under stressful circumstances. They may prone to violent behavior because of their medical state or the medication they are taking. Feeling of frustration and helplessness may also cause such situations (McKoy, 2007). According to a survey conducted in 2011 by the Emergency Nurses Association, more than 50% of emergency ward nurses experienced violence by patients and around 25% had experience more than 20 acts of violence during the last three years.

Factors Contributing to Work Place Violence

Health care workers face a very high risk of work-related assaults originating from various factors, including environmental and work-related risk factors

Environmental Factors

Handguns and other armaments among patients and their families. Its increased use by the hospital security to take care of acutely troubled and aggressive individuals.

The cash deposit at clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, which makes them a probable target for robbery.

Situational factors including unrestricted movement of the public in hospitals and clinics.

The increasing attendance of people with a criminal record, alcohol or drug abusers, trauma patients and distressed family members (McPhaul, 2004).

Duty in remote locations, mostly in unsecured areas, with no way of getting assistance such as alarm systems or communication devices.

Poor lighting conditions in the parking areas.

Work-Related Factors

The increasing number of severe and chronic mentally ill patients.

Metal patients discharged from the hospital without any follow-up care.

Lack of training of employees in identifying and managing to escalate violent and aggressive behavior.

Work in isolation with patients during the examination or treatment.

Less staff on-duty during times of increased activity and rush such as meal times and visiting hours.

Long waiting in emergency or clinics, resulting in client frustration (York, 2010).

Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Work Place Violence

Workplace violence is a severe occupational hazard for the emergency nursing workforce and is considered a violent crime. Numerous health care organizations have taken precautionary measures to deal with this issue, and to ensure the safety of the workers, patients and visitors.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

The position statement of ...