title: Patient-related violence at triage: A qualitative descriptive study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to describe the experiences of a group of triage nurses with patient-related workplace violence during the previous month.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Globally and within the Australian health industry, nurses have been reported to be the occupation at most risk of patient-related violence, with triage nurses identified as a high risk group for both verbal and physical violence.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study took place in the Emergency Department of a tertiary referral and teaching hospital in regional New South Wales, Australia. Data were collected from August to September 2008, and a qualitative descriptive methodology was employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants all reported experiencing episodes of patient related violence that were perceived as inevitable and increasing in intensity and frequency. Themes included identification of precipitating factors such as long waiting times and alcohol and substance misuse. Organisational issues included lack of aggression minimisation training; lack of formal debriefing following episodes of violence and frustration at lengthy reporting processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the context of the Emergency Department where patients present with a range of diagnoses and behaviours, it is unlikely that the issue of patient-related violence can be totally eliminated. However it can be prevented or managed more effectively on many occasions. Strategies to support staff and prevent and manage violence effectively should be a priority to provide a safe working environment and occupational health and safety for staff.
authors.affiliation: Richardson Bldg, School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308, Australia. Jacqueline.Pich@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pich
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hazelton
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sundin
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kable
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017751:Safety Management; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology