Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Violence against health care staff in general hospitals: a cross sectional survey in different clinical areas and professionatilies. |
|---|---|
| Name | Silvestri Monica |
| Supervisor(s) | Ferri Paola |
| Academic Year | 2014/15 |
| Thesis type | Research thesis |
Abstract
Purpose of study: Violence against health professionals is a global problem with an increasing incidence. The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of acts of violence in a general hospital.
Materials and methods: The design of this study was a cross-sectional one. In a period of 1 month, we administered the questionnaire “Violent Incident Form”, translated and validated in Italian, to 752 professionals, including physicians, ward
managers, nurses and nurse assistants, who work in 17 wards of the General Hospital “NOCSAE” of Az-USL in Modena. The data were statistically analyzed.
Results: The frequency of response was 56%. 45% of professionals had experienced at least one violent attack during the last year. The professionals most frequently assaulted were nurse assistants (52%), followed by nurses (48%) and physicians (30%). The first two categories were correlated, in a statistically significant way, with the risk of suffering violent attacks. The violent incidents more frequently occurred in Emergency Department (92.3%), in Psychiatric (86.36%) and Geriatric wards (56.8%). The assailants more frequently were males whereas assaulted
professionals more often were females. Verbal violence was the most frequent (51%) and psychological distress was the most reported consequences of violence attacks (73%). 84% of violent incidents was not reported neither to judicial authorities nor to general hospital managers. The variables positively related, in a statistically significant way, with the violence incident reporting were "asking for help during the attack" and "physical injuries suffered from violent attack".
Conclusions: This study suggests that violence is a significant phenomenon in health workplace and that all health care workers are at risk of suffering aggressive assaults. Prevention programs are necessary in order to make professionals more aware of the possible risks of suffering acts of violence in their workplace.