Citation

Ferns T, Cork A, Rew M. Br. J. Nurs. 2005; 14(13): 725-730.

Affiliation

University of Greenwich, School of Health and Social Care, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Mark Allen Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16116374

Abstract

Violence and aggression continues to be a significant problem for staff practising in accident and emergency areas. In recent years the number of articles examining factors related to violence and aggression in the Accident and Emergency department have steadily increased, allowing for a more in-depth examination of data. This article considers the characteristics of individuals who assault Accidenct and Emergency staff, introducing the reader to the 'recreational fighter', an individual who enjoys and is attracted to violent confrontations. The article goes on to consider the role of gender, alcohol, age and social history in relation to the characteristics of individuals who assault nursing staff practising in Accident and Emergency and offers a number of strategies for nursing staff to consider when attempting to minimize the risk of personal physical assault.