A Workplace Violence Prevention Program in the Emergency Department

Introduction

According to Baydin and Erenler (2014), workplace violence (WPV), particularly against healthcare providers working in the Emergency Department (ED) of hospitals, is increasingly becoming a severe and common problem. However, despite its psychological effects on nurses and patients in the ED such as fear, injuries, absenteeism, burnout, and reduced job satisfaction, this problem remains largely problematic and unresolved (Baydin & Erenler, 2014). Hence, an evidence-based practice solution such as a workplace violence prevention program (WPVPP) is needed to help prevent violent acts on staff in the emergency department.

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Proposed Solution

The suggested intervention to solve the problem of WPV in the ED is to implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program. Specifically, this paper proposes the training or education of nurses and other healthcare employees on workplace safety as an intervention forming part of the WPVPP. According to Kowalenko et al. (2012), a WPVPP is a policy-level intervention to violence in the ED which requires both commitment and support from the top leadership and management of a healthcare facility. This intervention is consistent with the current evidence on workplace violence prevention in the healthcare settings. For instance, according to Ramacciati, Ceccagnoli, Addey, Lumini, and Rasero (2016), a review of the current approaches to workplace violence prevention in the ED reveals that a WPVPP which incorporates staff education and training can effectively prevent further violence in the ED.

Furthermore, according to Martinez (2016), implementing a WPVPP helps effect change in the ED and hospitals in general by enhancing nurses' perceptions of safety, and consequently ensuring that a healthy work environment based on trust respect, and safety is created in the ED. Additionally, a training program which focuses on employee involvement in WPV prevention programs, accurate reporting of violent incidents, improving employee's communication skills, and constructing healthcare workers-patient relationship can be an effective approach to preventing workplace violence in healthcare settings (D'Ettorre, Mazzotta, Pellicani, & Vullo,2018). The intervention is realistic and relevant training exists.

Organizational Culture

The proposed solution to workplace violence inside the ED is consistent with the organization's culture in that it is in line with the organization's policy of promoting a policy of zero tolerance to all forms of violence, harassment, and bullying. The organization also maintains a culture of health and safety of both patients and its employees and hence the proposed intervention is consistent with this since it aims at ensuring a safe work environment in the ED.

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcomes of the WPVPP project for the ED include improved and safe work environment for nurses and other healthcare employees operating in the ED and reduced incidents of violence inside the ED. The training of the ED nurses under this program will help provide a safe environment for nurses by enabling them to identify potential causes of workplace violence and take appropriate measures to prevent them. It will also enhance safety through hazard assessment, de-escalation, and reporting of risks.

Method to Achieve Outcomes

To achieve the desired outcomes, the program will use training as a method. The nurses working in the ED will undergo training on ways of identifying risks of violence in the workplace and reporting them to the relevant authorities and departments before they escalate. However, some of the barriers that will need to be assessed and eliminated to ensure success include

Outcome Impact

The impact of the outcome of the proposed WPVPP on quality care is that it will lead to improved quality of care offered to patients by the ED nurses by creating a safe working environment for them to operate without disturbance. It will also affect patient-centered quality care by removing the risk factors for workplace violence and hence improving the interactions between the ED nurses and their patients. Moreover, the outcome of this program will affect the efficiency of the processes by removing obstacles to quick decision making in the ED. Finally, the program will impact professional expertise by promoting a culture of trust, confidence, and collegiality among the ED nurses.

References

Baydin, A.,& Erenler, A.K. (2014). Workplace violence in the emergency department and its effects on emergency staff. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, 16 (2), 66-68.

D'Ettorre, G., Mazzotta, M., Pellicani, V., & Vullo, A. (2018).Preventing and managingworkplace violence against health care workers in Emergency Departments. Acta Biomed for Health Professions, 89 (4), 28-36.

Kowalenko, T., Cunningham, R., Sachs, C.J., Gore, R., Barata, I.A., Gates, D., Hargarten, S.W.,...McClain, A. (2012). Workplace violence in emergency medicine: Current knowledge and future directions. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 43 (3), 523-531.

Martinez, A.J.S. (2016). Managing workplace violence with evidence-based interventions: A literature review. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54(9), 31-36.

Ramacciati, N., Ceccagnoli, A., Addey, B., Lumini, E., & Rosero, L. (2016). Interventions toreduce the risk of violence toward emergency department staff: current approaches. Open Access Emergency Medicine, 8, 17-27.