Citation

Gillespie GL, Gates DM, Miller M, Howard PK. Adv. Emerg. Nurs. J. 2010; 32(1): 68-82.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/tme.0b013e3181c8b0b4

PMID

38600962

PMCID

PMC11006411

Abstract

Workplace violence (WPV) by patients and visitors against nurses and physicians is a problem in adult emergency departments (ED), but largely unrecognized and unreported in pediatric EDs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the WPV that occurred in a pediatric ED and the negative effects on the workers. Data included transcribed interviews with 31 pediatric ED workers, non-participant observations, digital photographs, and archival records and analyzed using a modified constant comparative analysis method. Participants perceived that both genders and all occupational groups were at risk for experiencing verbal and physical WPV. Common perpetrator characteristics were patients receiving a psychiatric evaluation and visitors exhibiting acute anxiety. Effects were experienced by the workers, perpetrators, patient bystanders, and the healthcare employer. It is concluded that WPV is a problem in this pediatric ED and interventions need to be implemented to promote the safety of the workers and patients.

Language: en

Keywords

pediatrics; productivity; workplace violence