Patient-related violence at triage: A qualitative descriptive study

Pich, J; Hazelton, M; Sundin, D; Kable, A

Patient-related violence at triage: A qualitative descriptive study

Pich, J Hazelton, M Sundin, D Kable, A

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Emergency Nursing, 2011, 19 (1), pp. 12 - 19
Issue Date:: 2011-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Pich, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hazelton, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sundin, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kable, A	en_US
dc.date.available	2009-11-13	en_US
dc.date.issued	2011-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	International Emergency Nursing, 2011, 19 (1), pp. 12 - 19	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1755-599X	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/118367
dc.description.abstract	Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the experiences of a group of triage nurses with patient-related workplace violence during the previous month. Background: Globally and within the Australian health industry, nurses have been reported to be the occupation at most risk of patient-related violence, with triage nurses identified as a high risk group for both verbal and physical violence. Method: The study took place in the Emergency Department of a tertiary referral and teaching hospital in regional New South Wales, Australia. Data were collected from August to September 2008, and a qualitative descriptive methodology was employed. Findings: The participants all reported experiencing episodes of patient related violence that were perceived as inevitable and increasing in intensity and frequency. Themes included identification of precipitating factors such as long waiting times and alcohol and substance misuse. Organisational issues included lack of aggression minimisation training; lack of formal debriefing following episodes of violence and frustration at lengthy reporting processes. Conclusion: In the context of the Emergency Department where patients present with a range of diagnoses and behaviours, it is unlikely that the issue of patient-related violence can be totally eliminated. However it can be prevented or managed more effectively on many occasions. Strategies to support staff and prevent and manage violence effectively should be a priority to provide a safe working environment and occupational health and safety for staff. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	International Emergency Nursing	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.ienj.2009.11.007	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nurse-Patient Relations	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Methodology Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Safety Management	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Occupational Exposure	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Violence	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Nursing Staff, Hospital	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Occupational Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Workplace	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Hospitals, Teaching	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Trauma Centers	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Hospitals, Public	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Triage	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	New South Wales	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.title	Patient-related violence at triage: A qualitative descriptive study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	19	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Nursing
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	19	en_US

Abstract:

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the experiences of a group of triage nurses with patient-related workplace violence during the previous month. Background: Globally and within the Australian health industry, nurses have been reported to be the occupation at most risk of patient-related violence, with triage nurses identified as a high risk group for both verbal and physical violence. Method: The study took place in the Emergency Department of a tertiary referral and teaching hospital in regional New South Wales, Australia. Data were collected from August to September 2008, and a qualitative descriptive methodology was employed. Findings: The participants all reported experiencing episodes of patient related violence that were perceived as inevitable and increasing in intensity and frequency. Themes included identification of precipitating factors such as long waiting times and alcohol and substance misuse. Organisational issues included lack of aggression minimisation training; lack of formal debriefing following episodes of violence and frustration at lengthy reporting processes. Conclusion: In the context of the Emergency Department where patients present with a range of diagnoses and behaviours, it is unlikely that the issue of patient-related violence can be totally eliminated. However it can be prevented or managed more effectively on many occasions. Strategies to support staff and prevent and manage violence effectively should be a priority to provide a safe working environment and occupational health and safety for staff. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/118367