Towards an aggression-free health care environment

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Workplace Safety
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Nurse abuse, including physical and verbal assaults, has been an underreported issue in Canadian workplaces.
• Previous surveys and reports from nursing associations indicate a high prevalence of workplace violence against nurses.
• Specific regional studies highlight the extent of the problem, prompting further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize and highlight the prevalence of nurse abuse across Canada.
• To bring attention to the physical and verbal assaults experienced by registered nurses (RNs).
• To underscore the need for improved workplace safety measures in the nursing profession.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of survey data from nurses across various Canadian provinces.
• Review of reports from registered nurses' associations in Manitoba and Ontario.
• Inclusion of findings from specific studies conducted in the Toronto area and Nova Scotia.

Main Results:

• More than 50% of registered nurses (RNs) in Manitoba and Ontario have faced physical assault at work.
• A study in Toronto found one-third of nurses experienced abuse within a five-day period.
• Nova Scotia data shows 63% of nurses experienced verbal abuse, 35% faced attempted physical harm, and 21% were physically attacked in the past year.

Conclusions:

• Nurse abuse is a widespread and serious problem in Canada, affecting a significant portion of the nursing workforce.
• The findings indicate a consistent pattern of physical and verbal abuse across different regions.
• Urgent attention and interventions are required to address and prevent workplace violence against nurses.