Risk Factors
The risk factors for violence vary in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings depending on location of providers, size of the facility, and type of care provided. Historically, about 80 percent of serious violent incidents reported in healthcare settings were caused by interactions with patients. Other incidents were caused by visitors, coworkers, or other people.
Interactions with patients is the highest risk factor.
Workplace violence risk factors vary by healthcare setting, but common factors include the following:
- Working with people who have a history of violence or who may be delirious or under the influence of drugs
- Lifting, moving, and transporting patients
- Working alone
- Poor environmental design that may block vision or escape routes
- Poor lighting in hallways or exterior areas
- Lack of means of emergency communication
- Presence of firearms
- Working in neighborhoods with high crime rates
- Lack of training and policies for staff
- Understaffing in general, and especially during meal times and visiting hours
- High worker turnover
- Inadequate security staff
- Long wait times and overcrowded waiting rooms
- Unrestricted public access
- Perception that violence is tolerated and reporting incidents will have no effect
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-6. Which of the following is historically the most common category of serious violent incidents reported in health care?
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