Workplace Violence Among Workplace Violence Among Nurses: Nurses: The Minnesota The Minnesota Nurse’s StudyNurse’s StudyEpidemiology Nursing 702Maria-Idalia O. Lens, RN, PHN, MSN, FNP-C

Work SettingWork Setting• Inpt Setting• 534 physicians, 341 beds, 14-bed

perioperative, 60 critical care beds• Medical/telemetry floor (32 beds)• Every week there are encounters

between patients, staff, family members.

• Mostly are verbal, however, few become physical.

• One bad episode: Pt had physical contact with another pt, 3 staff, and ANM.

• This has led to closure of the room, PTSD for staff and other pt involved.

• Currently defense classes being taught to staff as well as how to deescalate possible violent situations.

Minnesota Nurses’ Minnesota Nurses’ StudyStudyTo identify magnitude and potential

risk factors for violence among an occupational population (nurses).

Collection of data done through surveys among RNs, and LVNs.

Collect data on physical and non physical violence in a 12 month period.

Results: Most violence is instigated by patients or clients; certain factors found to contribute to violence.

Work ViolenceWork ViolenceViolent acts including physical assault,

threats of assault directed to persons who are on duty.

In 2001, 639 work related homicides (3rd leading work related cause of death in workers, 2nd among women).

Most research is based from public policy.

In California, 82.5/100,000 (0.08%) related occupational injuries.

Occupational homicide 1.3/100,000 (0.0013%).

In California, (hospital workers) non-fatal assault 465/100,000 (.46%).

Work violence among nurse known, but risk factors unknown.

MethodsMethodsRNs: n=57,388, LVNs: n= 21,740

Gathered from state database

Random sample of 6300 chosen to participate with 78% return rate.

Violence included: physical assault, non-physical threats,

Data CollectionData CollectionDone in 2 phases:

Phase 1: Estimate frequency and consequences of work related violence and identify risk factors.

Phase 2: Use case-control approach to identify specific risk factors for the assault outcomes.