Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Workplace violence and safety perception in emergency medicine system: The Emergency Medicine Day International
Roberta Petrino1, Luis Garcia Castrillo2, Abdo Khoury3
1Emergency Department, Regional Hospital of Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.
Background And Importance:
Workplace violence is a major occupational hazard in emergency care, yet most evidence derives from single-country studies. International data on workplace safety climate and organizational preparedness remain limited.
Objectives:
To assess workplace safety perception by describing the epidemiology and characteristics of workplace violence among emergency department (ED) and emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, and to identify factors associated with safety perceptions, organizational preparedness, reporting practices, and violence prevention measures.
Design, Settings, And Participants:
International cross-sectional online survey conducted from May to June 2026 among ED and EMS professionals. The questionnaire was distributed through the European Society for Emergency Medicine and partner organizations. Of 2199 consenting respondents, 1306 complete questionnaires from 81 countries were included in the analysis.
Outcomes Measure And Analysis:
The primary outcome was overall safety estimation, measured on a 7-point Likert scale (0 = very safe; 6 = very unsafe). Secondary outcomes included workplace violence exposure, organizational preparedness, prevention strategies, and reporting practices. Descriptive statistics and comparative analyses were performed using complete-case analysis.
Main Results:
The mean overall safety estimation score was 3.26, indicating moderate concern regarding workplace safety. Overall, 75.04% of respondents witnessed workplace violence in the previous year; 68.8% experienced psychological harm, and 40.3% physical harm. Verbal aggression (87.8%) was the most common form of violence, with patients as the principal perpetrators (67.6%). Alcohol/drug intoxication and ED crowding were identified as the leading contributors. Only 51.1% had received formal violence-prevention training, and 57.3% had access to psychosocial support following violent incidents.
Conclusion:
Workplace violence is highly prevalent across emergency care systems worldwide and reflects broader organizational safety challenges. Comprehensive prevention strategies, including staff training, improved organizational measures, effective reporting systems, and psychological support, are needed to strengthen workplace safety and emergency care resilience.
Related Concept Videos
Obedience
Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
Survey Safety
Types of Reports III: Telephone and Verbal Reports
Here's an overview of each type:
Telephone Orders
International Nursing Organizations II
The WHO provides expert team support, including funding, vaccines, testing, and treatment tools at the country level to fight...
Introduction Cardiac Emergencies