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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2017 Jan;59(1):18-27.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000909.

Preventing Patient-to-Worker Violence in Hospitals: Outcome of a Randomized Controlled Intervention

Judith E Arnetz  1 , Lydia Hamblin, Jim Russell, Mark J Upfal, Mark Luborsky, James Janisse, Lynnette Essenmacher
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Preventing Patient-to-Worker Violence in Hospitals: Outcome of a Randomized Controlled Intervention

Judith E Arnetz et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2017 Jan.

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of enrollment, randomization and follow-up of study participants (units) 1FTEs = Full-Time Equivalents 26 block types were acute care nursing, intensive care nursing, emergency department, psychiatry, security, and surgery 33 units (1 intervention, 2 control) were closed due to the flooding of one hospital, August 2014 4One unit merged with a non-study unit, and was excluded from further analyses 5One unit was dissolved due to outsourcing of employees
Figure 2
Figure 2
Rates of violent events per 6-month intervals, Intervention and Control units, 36 months pre and 24 months post-intervention. Intervention period: August 30, 2014 -October 13, 2014 Rates = number of incidents/100 full-time equivalents (FTEs)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Rates of violence-related injury per 6-month intervals, Intervention and Control units, 36 months pre and 24 months post-intervention. Intervention period: August 30, 2014 -October 13, 2014 Rates = number of incidents/100 full-time equivalents (FTEs)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [CDC/NIOSH] [Accessed May 19, 2016];Violence: occupational hazards in hospitals. 2002 Available at: http://www.cdc.gov.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/niosh/docs/2002-101/

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