Violence in the accident and emergency department

A survey of Accident and Emergency nurses was undertaken to study the prevalence, types and possible precipitating factors of violence in the workplace. Violence was sub-divided into physical and verbal. Verbal violence was more common than physical assault but often not reported. Often physical violence is under-reported but in fact had affected one third of respondents. Associations with different types of violence are discussed. The need for further training in defusing violent situations and analysis of violent incidents is identified. Some suggestions for inclusion in a training programme are given.