[Violence towards personnel of emergency departments]

During the period 1.7.1988-31.12.1988, 49 episodes of violence occurred in the Casualty Department of Hvidovre Hospital. This corresponds to one every 3.3 days. In three cases, the violence resulted in injury to the staff treating the patient. The authors found a marked preponderance (82%) of young men in the group of violent patients. Alcohol was a probable potentiating factor for the violence as approximately half of the patients were drunk. The authors did not consider that the waiting time was of any significance. Prophylactic measures are suggested.