Preventing Patient-to-Worker Violence in Hospitals: Outcome of a Randomized Controlled Intervention. Issue 1 (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arnetz, Judith E.; Hamblin, Lydia; Russell, Jim; Upfal, Mark J.; Luborsky, Mark; Janisse, James; Essenmacher, Lynnette
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 59:Issue 1(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000909
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To evaluate the effects of a randomized controlled intervention on the incidence of patient-to-worker (Type II) violence and related injury in hospitals. Methods: Forty-one units across seven hospitals were randomized into intervention ( n = 21) and control ( n = 20) groups. Intervention units received unit-level violence data to facilitate development of an action plan for violence prevention; no data were presented to control units. Main outcomes were rates of violent events and injuries across study groups over time. Results: Six months post-intervention, incident rate ratios of violent events were significantly lower on intervention units compared with controls (incident rate ratio [IRR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29 to 0.80). At 24 months, the risk for violence-related injury was lower on intervention units, compared with controls (IRR 0.37, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.83). Conclusions: This data-driven, worksite-based intervention was effective in decreasing risks of patient-to-worker violence and related injury.