Research reveals impact of violence in nursing

For the first time in Australia statistics have been compiled in a study revealing the extent of violence against nurses in emergency wards.

The research has been conducted by Charles Sturt University nursing lecturer Joy Lyneham who surveyed 650 nurses in emergency departments in metropolitan and regional hospitals. Of the 244 who responded, all said they experienced some form of violence at least weekly, 92 incidents involving lethal weapons.

While the statistics show that 92 per cent of perpetrators are patients or their family members the general perception that the majority are psychiatric patients is incorrect. The study showed that only 8 per cent of incidences involved a person with a mental health condition.

The three main factors influencing the level of violence, nurses said, are alcohol, drugs and waiting times.

"The survey also revealed, what we in the nursing profession all know, that over 70 per cent of incidents are not reported which is a major concern as relevant health services cannot develop appropriate strategies to ease the problem," Ms Lyneham said.

The study preceded a report from the Australian Institute of Criminology that states that the health industry was the most effected by violence of any industry in Australia and that registered nurses had the second highest reports of violence.

Ms Lyneham and Dr Jackie Jones from the University of South Australia are currently extending this study to include all areas of nursing.

"What we hope to achieve through this and further studies into the issue, is for health professionals and the public to recognise there is a real problem out there and to take a pro-active approach to helping prevent the high level of violent attacks against nurses," Ms Lyneham said.

Recommendations to come out of the study include; an education program for hospital staff to de-escalate situations; the installation of permanent security staff in some emergency wards; video cameras that can be used as evidence; and a reduction in waiting times and the development of a policies to deal with the situation when waiting times reach critical point.