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Editorial Note | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/2690-1919/277
Professor at Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Department Cairo University
*Corresponding Author: Nahla Shaaban Khalil. Professor at Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Department Cairo University.
Citation: Nahla Shaaban Khalil. (2022). Worldwide predictors of violence in acute health care settings and recommendations for action., J. Journal of Clinical Research and Reports, 12(2) DOI:10.31579/2690-1919/277.
Copyright: © 2022 Nahla Shaaban Khalil. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of The Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Received: 03 November 2022 | Accepted: 25 November 2022 | Published: 30 December 2022
Keywords: predictors; violent behavior; acute care; health setting
Healthcare workers are exposed to various violent behaviors, such as physical violence, threats, psychological violence at their work. The experience of workplace violence is associated with various serious health outcomes including depression, loss of self-esteem, sleep disorders, anxiety, and Lack of concentration. Therefore, this editorial is conducted to stress the worldwide predictores of violence in acute health care settings and recommendations for action
Healthcare workers are exposed to various violent behaviors, such as physical violence ,threats, psychological violence at their work . The experience of workplace violence is associated with various serious health outcomes including depression, loss of self-esteem, sleep disorders, anxiety, and Lack of concentration.( Baig, L.; Ali, S.; Shaikh, S.; Polkowski, M,2018; Einarsen, S.; Nielsen, M,2015 ; . Dadfar, M.; Lester, D.,2021). violence in acute care settings leads to decreased motivation and hope among health care workers that result in increased absenteeism, turnover and burnout(. Bartlett, J.; Bartlett, M.,2011 & Ferri, P.; Silvestri, M.; Artoni, C.; Di Lorenzo, R,2016).
As a result, it is very important to be aware and alert for which contributing and risk factors associated with health care workplace violence that can help in preventing and moderating the violence.( Giménez-Lozano, J.; Martínez-Ramón, J.; Morales-Rodríguez, F,2021; Norton, P.; Costa, V.; Teixeira, J.; Azevedo, A.; Roma-Torres, A.; Amaro, J.; Cunha, L,2017; Otachi, J.; Robertson, H.; Okoli, C,2022). Increased violence in acute care settings is related to demanding workloads, stress, poor communication with different categories of population , social and economic restraints. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 2015).
Some studies revealed the principal factors that lead to the increased incidence of violence against healthcare workers such as prolonged working hours, the pace and intensity of work, emotional demands, poor working relations , interpersonal conflicts and a lack of information that can cause violent behaviour.( Berlanda, S.; Pedrazza, M.; Fraizzoli, M.; Cordova, F,2019; Howard, P.,2010; . Hahn, S.; Müller, M.; Hantikainen, V.; Kok, G.; Dassen, T.; Halfens, R.,2013; LeBlanc, M.; Kelloway, E.K,2002). Therefore, the main objective of this editorial is to briefly mention the associations between risk factors and violent behaviors, notably physical violence, and psychological violence . As well, it aims to mention the recommendation measures that should be taken reduce workplace violence and manage interventions in acute healthcare settings.
Safety measures for avoiding and managing workplace violence among health workers have been described in different health care settings.( Gillespie GL, Gates DM, Miller M, Howard PK,2010). However, the nature of workplace violence differs between parts of the health sector as well as between cultures and countries.( Lau JB, Magarey J, Wiechula R.,2012 & . Lau JB, Magarey J, Wiechula R.,2012). safety measures has previously been described in various studies but there is little knowledge about the actual benefits of these measures. The lack of research on strategies which might reduce or prevent workplace violence against health care workers has also been pointed out elsewhere.( Kowalenko T, Cunningham R, Sachs CJ, Gore R, Barata IA, Gates D, et al.,2012). The research finding of a study done by Morken et al.,2015 suggested that important organizational factors in dealing with workplace violence are minimizing the risk of working alone, preparing the personnel for violent situations, reducing the mismatch between patient expectations and services offered, and providing support in the follow-up of incidents.
To facilitate the recognition of possible and feasible interventions, a bundle of key issues were recognized. These include risk management, supplying of adequate and efficient staffing, rapid incidence response, reinforcing the patients' dignity as well as healthcare providers, , managing the risk of violent patients, collaboration, the design of acute care setting environments, consultation and coordination across the hospital settings system, and the public's behaviors towards health care team members . It is advised that these issues be the prompt focus of future recommendations made to promote work-related violence preventive and management measures in acute health care settings. (Paul M. Salmon, Lauren J. Coventon, Gemma J. M.,2021).
Restraining and limiting the violence in a health care workplace starts with an extensive review of the current security measures in place, including video surveillance and available control technology. Next , to review the policies to follow in workplace violence to delineate whether they are still effective or require to be updated. Moreover , Security measures, policies and incident reports should be reviewed every year. Security industry association .Moreover, All staff, police members , security personnel, social workers, psychological services, physicians, nurses and others – should be cross-trained on how to respond to workplace violence and be required to attend an annual updating course. They should also attend intervention courses to assist them recognize warning signs of potential violence.( Security industry association ( SIA),2017)
On the same line, Security industry association (2017) recommended other measures that the health care workers can execute to restrict the workplace violence including : Promoting respect – reinforcing an attitude of respect and thoughtfulness for others can often weaken the violent behavior, objects that could be used in sudden violent attack should be secured or removed. Working as a team should be followed during a crisis; no person should be left alone. All health care workers as well as employee have a right to work in a facility that is free from violence. By following these safety recommendations effectively enforcing workplace violence prevention policies, and training all the staff in how to recognize and respond to violent situations, health care facilities can reduce the dangers to their patients, staff and visitors.
Clearly Auctoresonline and particularly Psychology and Mental Health Care Journal is dedicated to improving health care services for individuals and populations. The editorial boards' ability to efficiently recognize and share the global importance of health literacy with a variety of stakeholders. Auctoresonline publishing platform can be used to facilitate of optimal client-based services and should be added to health care professionals' repertoire of evidence-based health care resources.
