Violence in the health care environment

The rapid rise in the incidence of violence in our society is an increasing risk to all Americans. As violence increases for our patients and in society around us, it becomes an ever greater problem for all health care personnel. The number of threats and violent acts against health care providers has been steadily increasing in recent years. The most effective method of managing violence is to prevent it. A critical step in prevention is in differentiating between an angry individual and a potentially violent individual based on his or her speech, appearance, and behavior. Heightened security and changes in the medical environment are additional ways of preventing violence. Management of a violent incident includes early recognition, de-escalation techniques, and a collaborative effort with security personnel.