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Violence in the emergency department
1Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, University of California at Los Angeles, USA.
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
|October 12, 1999
Summary
Emergency department violence is common and undertreated. This article details patient risk factors, identification strategies, and management techniques, including sedation and restraint, for aggressive behavior in emergency settings.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Public Health
- Criminology
Background:
- Violence in emergency departments (EDs) is a pervasive issue.
- Inadequate recognition and management of aggressive behavior contribute to patient and staff safety risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the epidemiology of ED violence.
- To identify patient populations at high risk for aggression.
- To discuss strategies for managing violent patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ED violence.
- Analysis of risk factors associated with aggressive patient behavior.
- Discussion of evidence-based sedation and restraint protocols.
Main Results:
- Specific demographic and clinical factors increase patient risk for violence.
- Prompt identification and structured approach are crucial.
- Appropriate sedation and restraint methods can de-escalate dangerous situations.
Conclusions:
- Addressing ED violence requires a systematic approach.
- Understanding patient risk factors aids in prevention and management.
- Implementing standardized protocols for sedation and restraint improves safety.