De-escalation Training as Part of a Workplace Violence Prevention Program

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Nursing
• Public Health

Background:

• Workplace violence, encompassing verbal and physical abuse, is a growing concern nationwide.
• The enforcement of COVID-19 prevention policies has exacerbated workplace violence against healthcare workers.
• Nurses face increasing aggression, necessitating effective coping strategies and enhanced safety measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of de-escalation training for nurses.
• To assess the impact of training on nurses' situational awareness, coping abilities, and confidence in managing aggressive encounters.
• To determine if nurse education influences the frequency of security calls and incident reports related to workplace violence.

Main Methods:

• The study involved providing de-escalation training to nurses.
• Training focused on enhancing situational awareness for early recognition of escalating situations.
• Outcomes measured included changes in nurses' confidence, coping mechanisms, and reported incidents.

Main Results:

• De-escalation training appears to positively influence nurses' preparedness.
• Nurses reported improved confidence and coping skills when dealing with aggression.
• Preliminary outcomes suggest a potential reduction in security calls and incident reports following training.

Conclusions:

• De-escalation training is a valuable method for preparing nurses to manage workplace aggression.
• Educating nurses on de-escalation techniques can lead to a safer healthcare environment.
• Further research should explore the long-term impact of such training on workplace violence metrics.