Application and implementation of the hazard risk matrix to identify hospital workplaces at risk for violence. Issue 11 (15th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arnetz, Judith E.; Hamblin, Lydia; Ager, Joel; Aranyos, Deanna; Upfal, Mark J.; Luborsky, Mark; Russell, Jim; Essenmacher, Lynnette
• Is Part Of: American journal of industrial medicine. Volume 57:Issue 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1276
• Page End: 1284
• Publication Date: 2014-09-15
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Médecine du travail -- Périodiques; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22371
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-3586

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajim22371-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>A key barrier to preventing workplace violence injury is the lack of methodology for prioritizing the allocation of limited prevention resources. The hazard risk matrix was used to categorize the probability and severity of violence in hospitals to enable prioritization of units for safety intervention.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22371-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Probability of violence was based on violence incidence rates; severity was based on lost time management claims for violence‐related injuries. Cells of the hazard risk matrix were populated with hospital units categorized as low, medium, or high probability and severity. Hospital stakeholders reviewed the matrix after categorization to address the possible confounding of underreporting.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22371-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Forty‐one hospital units were categorized as medium or high on both severity and probability and were prioritized for forthcoming interventions. Probability and severity were highest in psychiatric care units.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22371-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This risk analysis tool may be useful for hospital administrators in prioritizing units for violence injury prevention efforts. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:1276–1284, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>