Risk factors for violence-related injuries among hospital employees

Background and Objectives: Workplace violence (WPV) is a serious occupational hazard for hospital workers. Injury from WPV can be severe, but little is known about risk factors for violence-related injuries in hospital employees. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors that may identify employees who are at increased risk of injury from workplace violence.

Methods: The study was conducted within a multi-site hospital system with a system-wide database for reporting workplace violence events. Rates of WPV-related injury among employees working on 42 high-risk units between 2010 and 2012 were assessed. Rates of injury per 100 fulltime equivalents (FTEs) were compared by employee characteristics to determine factors associated with injury.

Results: Of the 2,969 employees employed within the high risk units during the study period, 275 (9.3%) reported at least 1 violent event; of these, 114 (3.8%) were injured. All incidents involved aggressive patients, with injuries ranging from bruises to fractures. Rates of injury were highest among employees working on psychiatry (9.12 injuries/100 FTEs) or security (8.38 injuries/100 FTEs) units. Injury rates for full-time employees (3.3/100 FTEs) were twice that of part time (1.6) and contingent employees (1.5). Male workers were approximately 3 times more likely than females (5.7 vs. 1.7/100 FTEs) to sustain an injury. 

 

Conclusions: Hospital employees who are male, full-time employees, and who work in psychiatry or security are at increased risk for injury from patient-to-worker violence. Knowledge of these risk factors may aid hospitals in creating specific preventative measures to help reduce injury.