Emergency workers: working with violence

This chapter discusses violence against healthcare workers, focusing on emergency department workers and paramedics. Workplace violence is becoming a major public health concern, with increased media coverage of violence against healthcare workers. Emergency department workers include nurses, doctors, porters and administrative staff. Research has shown that emergency department workers are at high risk from verbal and physical violence from patients, patient family members and visitors. Workplace violence prevention training is often designed to protect staff, patients and visitors from violent behaviour. Patient assaults are commonly attributed to alcohol and drug use, psychiatric conditions or stress induced by a crisis situation. Care for such patients can be complex and involve a number of emergency department workers treating the patient simultaneously, all increasing patient stress levels and possibly triggering a violent outburst. Emergency medical staff intention to leave may be affected by patient violence.