Risk factors associated with patient and visitor violence in general hospitals : results of a multiple regression analysis

Hahn, Sabine; Müller, Marianne; Hantikainen, Virpi; Kok, Gerjo; Dassen, Theo; Halfens, Ruud J.G.

doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.018

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Risk factors associated with patient and visitor violence in general hospitals : results of a multiple regression analysis
Authors:	Hahn, Sabine Müller, Marianne Hantikainen, Virpi Kok, Gerjo Dassen, Theo Halfens, Ruud J.G.
DOI:	10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.018
Published in:	International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume(Issue):	50
Issue:	3
Page(s):	374
Pages to:	385
Issue Date:	2013
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0020-7489 1873-491X
Language:	English
Subjects:	Aggression; Regression analysis; Retrospective studies; Risk factors; General hospitals; Inpatients; Violence; Visitors to Patients
Subject (DDC):	303: Social processes 362.11: Hospitals and related institutions
Abstract:	Background: Patient and visitor violence (PVV) is the most dangerous occupational hazard that health professionals must contend with. Staff training is recommended to prevent and manage PVV. There is minimal research focusing on risk factors associated with PVV in general hospital settings. Therefore, staff training is mostly based upon expert knowledge and knowledge from psychiatric and emergency settings. Objectives: This study investigates health professionals’ experiences with PVV in order to describe risk factors related to PVV that occur in general hospital settings. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2007. Setting: A university general hospital in Switzerland. Participants: 2495 out of 4845 health professionals participated (58.0% nurses & midwives, 19.2% medical doctors, 3.6% physical therapists, occupational therapists & nutritionists, 6.1% ward secretaries, medical & radiology assistants, 6.3% nursing assistants or less qualified nursing staff and 5.1% other staff). All had direct patient contact and 82% were female. Methods: Data were collected via questionnaires using the Survey of Violence Experienced by Staff German-Version-Revised, the German version of the shortened Perception of Aggression Scale and the Perception of Importance of Intervention Skills Scale. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Risk factors associated with PVV depend upon the form of violence. Those trained in aggression management and/or those who work predominantly with patients over 65 years of age experience twice as much PVV as others. Health professionals working in emergency rooms, outpatient units, intensive care units, recovery rooms, anesthesia, intermediate care and step-down units also experience PVV more often. When health professionals are older in age, are from the medical profession, are students, or when they have an attitude rating preventive measures as being less important and aggression as emotionally letting off steam, they experience less PVV. Conclusion: Training could change the perception and the recognition of PVV, and could therefore increase the risk of experiencing PVV. The health professionals’ specific occupation along with attitude and age, the patients’ age, the communication and the workplace are all relevant risk factors. Further studies should investigate the impact of aggression management training and other measures that would reduce PVV.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/13319
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	Licence according to publishing contract
Departement:	School of Engineering
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Data Analysis and Process Design (IDP)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen School of Engineering

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Hahn, S., Müller, M., Hantikainen, V., Kok, G., Dassen, T., & Halfens, R. J. G. (2013). Risk factors associated with patient and visitor violence in general hospitals : results of a multiple regression analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 50(3), 374–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.018

Hahn, S. et al. (2013) ‘Risk factors associated with patient and visitor violence in general hospitals : results of a multiple regression analysis’, International Journal of Nursing Studies, 50(3), pp. 374–385. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.018.

S. Hahn, M. Müller, V. Hantikainen, G. Kok, T. Dassen, and R. J. G. Halfens, “Risk factors associated with patient and visitor violence in general hospitals : results of a multiple regression analysis,” International Journal of Nursing Studies, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 374–385, 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.018.

HAHN, Sabine, Marianne MÜLLER, Virpi HANTIKAINEN, Gerjo KOK, Theo DASSEN und Ruud J.G. HALFENS, 2013. Risk factors associated with patient and visitor violence in general hospitals : results of a multiple regression analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2013. Bd. 50, Nr. 3, S. 374–385. DOI 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.018

Hahn, Sabine, Marianne Müller, Virpi Hantikainen, Gerjo Kok, Theo Dassen, and Ruud J.G. Halfens. 2013. “Risk Factors Associated with Patient and Visitor Violence in General Hospitals : Results of a Multiple Regression Analysis.” International Journal of Nursing Studies 50 (3): 374–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.018.

Hahn, Sabine, et al. “Risk Factors Associated with Patient and Visitor Violence in General Hospitals : Results of a Multiple Regression Analysis.” International Journal of Nursing Studies, vol. 50, no. 3, 2013, pp. 374–85, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.018.