Management of violence in the workplace: a New Zealand survey

To estimate the rate of adverse events to staff, to survey the use of various preventative measures, and to assess any association between these factors and the reported event rate.

An anonymous postal nation-wide survey of violence reported to managers of psychiatric units in New Zealand.

The mean rate of adverse event per 100 full time equivalent staff was 16.2 (range 0-187) for property damage, 16.3 (range 0-204) for attempted assault, 12 (range 0-194) for physical attack, 1.3 (range 0-33) for sexual harassment and 1.1 (range 0-17) for stalking. Inpatient units, the use of pocket alarms, and training in de-escalation were associated highly with an increase risk of adverse events.

There is a high variation in the rate of violence. The issue of increased rate of events with certain interventions will require further research.