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Risk factors for work-related assaults on nurses
Susan Goodwin Gerberich1, Timothy R Church, Patricia M McGovern
1Regional Injury Prevention Research Center and Center for Violence Prevention and Control, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. gerbe001@umn.edu
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|September 2, 2005
Summary
Workplace violence against nurses is a significant issue, with physical assaults occurring at a rate of 13.2 per 100 nurses annually. Factors like facility type and shift length increase risk, while personal alarms and cell phones offer protection.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Nursing Safety
- Violence Prevention
Background:
- Work-related homicides are well-studied, but nonfatal violence against healthcare professionals remains under-researched.
- Understanding risk factors for nonfatal workplace violence is crucial for improving healthcare worker safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of physical assault among nurses.
- To identify environmental and occupational risk and protective factors associated with nonfatal workplace violence.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 6300 randomly selected Minnesota nurses assessed occupational violence experiences.
- A nested case-control study examined environmental exposures and physical assault.
- Data were collected on employment, assault history, and prior-month exposures.
Main Results:
- The incidence of physical assault was 13.2 per 100 nurses per year.
- Increased assault risk was associated with working in nursing homes, emergency departments, and psychiatric units.
- Poor lighting and longer shifts elevated risk, while carrying cellular telephones or personal alarms decreased it.
Conclusions:
- Environmental and occupational factors significantly influence the risk of physical assault against nurses.
- Protective measures, such as personal alarms and cellular telephones, demonstrate effectiveness in reducing violence.
- Findings can inform targeted interventions to enhance nurse safety and mitigate workplace violence.