Citation

Pompeii L, Dement J, Schoenfisch A, Lavery A, Souder M, Smith C, Lipscomb HJ. J. Saf. Res. 2013; 44: 57-64.

Affiliation

The University of Texas, School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, RAS E617, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2012.09.004

PMID

23398706

Abstract

PROBLEM: Non-fatal type II violence experienced by hospital workers (patient/visitor-on-worker violence) is not well described. METHODS: Hospital administration data (2004-2009) were examined for purposes of calculating rates of type II violent events experienced by workers. We also conducted a review of the hospital-based literature (2000-2010) and summarized findings associated with type II violence. RESULTS: 484 physical assaults were identified in the data, with a rate of 1.75 events/100 full-time equivalents. Only few details about events were captured, while non-physical events were not captured. The literature yielded 17 studies, with a range proportion of verbal abuse (22%-90%), physical threats (12%-64%) and assaults (2%-32%) reported. The literature lacked rigorous methods for examining incidence and circumstances surrounding events or rates of events over time. DISCUSSION: For purposes of examining the impact of type II violence on worker safety, satisfaction and retention, rigorous surveillance efforts by hospital employers and researchers are warranted.

Language: en