[Violence on health care workers]

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Occupational Health
• Criminology

Background:

• Emergency Departments (EDs) are high-stress environments.
• Workplace violence in healthcare settings is a growing concern.
• Limited data exists on the prevalence and impact of violence in EDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the presence and characteristics of workplace violence in an ED.
• To assess the effects of patient and visitor violence on healthcare workers.
• To understand the reporting patterns and staff perceptions of violence.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted in the Accident and Emergency Department of S. Pertini Hospital, Rome.
• Data collected from November 2014 to January 2015.
• Utilized ad hoc questionnaires (QVS and QES) to assess violence frequency, type, and staff stress levels over five years.

Main Results:

• 51 out of 58 healthcare workers participated.
• Regular exposure to violence was reported, with significant underreporting to authorities.
• A belief that violence is normalized was prevalent; aggressors were typically patients or relatives.
• Healthcare workers experienced physical and emotional harm.

Conclusions:

• ED healthcare workers face significant risks from workplace violence.
• There is a need for specific training in managing violent situations.
• Interventions should focus on early identification, communication, and de-escalation techniques.