AGGRESSION ON HAEMODIALYSIS UNITS: A MIXED METHOD STUDY. Issue 3 (16th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Julia; Nijman, Henk; Ross, Jamie; Ashman, Neil; Callaghan, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Journal of renal care. Volume 40:Issue 3(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 193
• Publication Date: 2014-07-16
• Subjects: Kidneys -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Hemodialysis -- Periodicals; Kidney Diseases -- nursing -- Periodicals; Renal Replacement Therapy -- nursing -- Periodicals; 616.61
• DOI: 10.1111/jorc.12068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-6678

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>SUMMARY</title> <sec id="jorc12068-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Aggression on haemodialysis units is a growing problem internationally that has received little research attention to date. Aggressive behaviour by patients or their relatives can compromise the safety and well‐being of staff and other patients sharing a haemodialysis session.</p> </sec> <sec id="jorc12068-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>The objectives of the study were twofold: First, to identify the prevalance and nature of aggression on haemodialysis units; and second, to investigate factors that contribute to aggressive behaviour on haemodialysis units.</p> </sec> <sec id="jorc12068-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Design and Methods</title> <p>A cross‐sectional, sequential mixed method research design was adopted, with two research methods utilised. Incidents of aggressive behaviour were recorded over a 12‐month period, using a renal version of the Staff Observation Aggression Scale. Six months after the incident data collection had commenced, semi‐structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 multidisciplinary members of staff.</p> </sec> <sec id="jorc12068-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Over 12 months, 74 aggressive incidents were recorded. The majority of incidents involved verbal aggression, and the perpetrators were a minority of patients, relatives and staff. Two patients were responsible for 38% of all incidents; both patients had mental health problems. Distinct temporal patterns to the aggressive behaviour were observed according to the day of the week and time of day.</p> </sec> <sec id="jorc12068-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>This study demonstrates that aggression is a significant problem on haemodialysis units, with verbal aggression most prevalent. The temporal patterns to aggression observed are related to the uniqueness of the haemodialysis setting, with a distinctly different treatment environment compared with other healthcare settings.</p> </sec> </abstract>