title: Assault of long-term care personnel.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore contributing factors, consequences, and solutions to assault of long-term care personnel. The study sample consisted of three focus groups composed of certified nursing assistants and administrators employed in long-term care facilities within a large Midwestern city. Using content analysis methodology, multiple themes emerged: worker attitude, vulnerability, work culture, job tasks, training, working short-staffed, financial concerns, changes in social values and health care, community crime, substance abuse, accepting assaults, coworker threats, issues of retaliation, professional withdrawal, and inability to share experiences. Preventive measures suggested by the participants are consistent with those recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Implications for staff and administrators include both personal and workplace strategies. Recommendations include implementing more comprehensive violence prevention programs that includes conflict management and training tailored to the type of residents.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Jeanne Beauchamp
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Susan Terry
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Misner
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology