Workplace violence prevention programs in hospital emergency departments

Hospital violence is a growing concern, yet little is known about existing programs. This study compared workplace violence programs in high-risk emergency departments among a representative sample of 116 hospitals in California and 50 hospitals in New Jersey.

Information was collected through interviews, a facility walk-through, and review of written policies, procedures, and training material. Programs were scored on the components of training, policies and procedures, security, and environmental approaches.

California had significantly higher scores for training and policies and procedures, but there was no difference for security and environmental approaches. Program component scores were not highly correlated. For example, hospitals with a strong training program were not more likely to have strong policies and procedures.

Most hospitals in California and New Jersey had implemented a workplace violence prevention program, but important gaps were found.