33920 Patient De-escalation

Course overview

Discussion of patient de-escalation, including factors that may contribute to differing emotions during times of crisis, general de-escalation techniques when dealing with various situations, ways in which trust can be built when dealing with individuals in crisis, and skills used to promote active listening. Workplace violence is a hazard in many workplace settings, including healthcare. There are multiple factors that may lead a patient or family member to be aggressive or exhibit violent behaviors, such as pain, a devastating diagnosis, medications, illegal drugs, medical costs, or disease progression. When faced with an individual who is angry or who has the potential to become violent, verbal de-escalation is a first-line response and can be an effective tool that involves techniques such as effective communication, offering clear explanations for policies and procedures, assessing your own behavior and reactions to ensure that you are not contributing to the anger, or offering the patient realistic options. Learning and practicing de-escalation techniques can be instrumental in protecting both nurses and patients. This program discusses factors that may lead to violent situations in the workplace, building trust and rapport, and general de-escalation techniques to implement when in a potentially violent situation.