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Workplace violence in emergency departments: addressing barriers to reporting through education
Dissertation

Workplace violence in emergency departments: addressing barriers to reporting through education

Sarah Seabrook-de Jong
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Drexel University
2018
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7850
pdf
Seabrook-de-Jong_Sarah_2018553.77 kB
PDF Access upon request, Email title, URL, or DOI to archives@drexel.edu

Abstract

Violence in hospitals Incident-based reporting systems
Background: Workplace violence (WPV) in emergency departments is a national health care concern. Nurses practicing in emergency departments are at greater risk for violence than other health care professionals. Published literature suggests that WPV is underreported because of inadequate understanding of its definition and associated reporting processes, which contributes to a lack of evidence-based interventions to reduce its frequency. Purpose: Consistent utilization of a reporting database can assist in identifying trends in emergency departments' violence occurrences and subsequent interventions, as reviewed by the organization's WPV Committee. WPV education was offered with the intent of improving reporting accuracy and promoting better understanding of WPV. The WPV Committee's lack of engagement was addressed. Methods: Emergency department employees and leaders were offered education on the definition and reporting process of WPV through a free continuing nursing education module. The WPV Committee was simultaneously tasked with updating policies and creating engagement strategies to reduce WPV. Evaluation: Reporting system effectiveness was measured by comparing the frequency of documented occasions of violence before and after an educational intervention. Continuing nursing education pre- and posttest score comparison via paired t test was used to gauge WPV and reporting process knowledge. The WPV Committee's participation was increased. Clinical Implications: Utilization of a consistent WPV definition and reporting process aided accuracy of incident reports, exemplifying a culture that supports reporting incidents. This practice can inform data-driven interventions, when funneled through the WPV Committee, to reduce WPV, and may contribute to a safer emergency department environment for employees.

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