Examining the utility of the Violence Prevention Climate scale: In a metropolitan Australian general hospital

Abstract

Aim and objectives To evaluate and examine the utility of the Violence Prevention Climate scale by generalist healthcare professionals. Background Workplace violence in general hospital settings remains a challenge for healthcare organisations. High rates of violence are still being reported towards healthcare workers, despite organisational violence prevention strategies being implemented. There is a major challenge to healthcare organisation in the measurement of the effectiveness of these interventions, traditionally completed via the reporting and monitoring of workplace violent incidents. A novel approach to measuring workplace violence is by studying hospital atmosphere or climate. Design A cross‐sectional survey using the STARD guidelines was used. Methods The Violence Prevention Climate scale was completed by 194 healthcare staff working in the emergency department, medical/surgical wards, respiratory/infectious disease, spinal care, renal unit, corrections health, and rehabilitation and community services of a major Australian tertiary referral hospital. The Violence Prevention Climate scale has previously been validated and used in mental health settings, but not general hospital settings. A content analysis of an open‐ended question on violence prevention management strategies was also conducted. Results Comprising of 14 items with two factors (patients and staff), the study revealed a 9‐item staff factor scale that can be used in the general hospital setting, the patient factor did not show adequate reliability. The content analysis revealed seven categories of staff identified violence prevention and management strategies. Conclusions The use of the 9‐item scale across an organisation annually, or added to existing organisational workforce surveys, could prove to be practical way of measuring the social climate of violence in a general hospital setting. Relevance to clinical practice The results of which could guide clinical practice, workplace safety, policy and educational initiatives for the prevention and management of workplace violence.

Nursing management of emergency department violence—Can we do more?

“…While drugs and alcohol are often blamed for ED violence in the literature (Ramacciati et al, 2017) these do not always appear to be the major influencing factor (Al‐Maskari et al, 2020; Ramacciati, Ceccagnoli, Addey, & Rasero, 2018; Zoleo et al, 2020). Indeed, a recent examination of risk revealed that those deemed at greater risk of violence were patients with mental health disorders (Brunero et al, 2021). For example, Connor et al (2020) found that most (57%) of the violent episodes reported in the ED were mental health related, whereas very few cases (2%) were related to drugs or alcohol.…”

“…While drugs and alcohol are often blamed for ED violence in the literature (Ramacciati et al, 2017) these do not always appear to be the major influencing factor (Al-Maskari et al, 2020;Zoleo et al, 2020). Indeed, a recent examination of risk revealed that those deemed at greater risk of violence were patients with mental health disorders (Brunero et al, 2021).…”

“…Violence in health care is a worldwide phenomenon, with professional organisations, health facilities and legislative bodies taking increasing action towards prevention (Brunero et al, 2021). In the international literature, there are various definitions that describe the phenomenon of workplace violence, including that of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which identifies it as ‘any physical assault or attempted assault, threatening behaviour or verbal abuse that occurs in the workplace’.…”

“…While violence can pervade across many areas of healthcare practice, violence in the adult emergency department (ED) is often highlighted as being of particular concern (Brunero et al, 2021; Lenaghan et al, 2018; Ryan & Maguire, 2006). Indeed, staff in the ED are more likely to experience violence than in other areas of health care (Sharifi et al, 2020; Zoleo et al, 2020) and many nurses are concerned for their own safety (Sharifi et al, 2020).…”