VIOLENT PATIENTS

Course overview

VIOLENCE IN HEALTHCARE IS A WORLDWIDE AND CRITICAL ISSUE. IN 2017, THE BUREAU OF LABOR AND STATISTICS REPORTED THAT HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE ON THE JOB THAN THE AVERAGE WORKER IN THE UNITED STATES. VIOLENCE IS A RELATIVELY VAGUE TERM WITH SEVERAL MEANINGS, DEFINITIONS, AND INTERPRETATIONS. IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING, VIOLENCE MAY PRESENT AS A VERBAL OR PHYSICAL ATTACK BY PATIENTS OR VISITORS. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE TYPES OF VIOLENCE, INDICATORS OF IMPENDING VIOLENCE, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF VIOLENT PATIENTS. IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ENSURING THE SAFE MANAGEMENT OF THESE PATIENTS.