title: Impact of hospital type II violent events: use of psychotropic drugs and mental health services.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While violence can adversely affect mental health of victims, repercussions of violence against workers is not as well characterized.
  
  
  METHODS
  We explored relationships between workplace violent events perpetrated by patients or visitors (Type II) against hospital employees and the employee use of psychotropic medications or mental health services using a data system that linked violent events with health claims.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant associations were observed between reported Type II workplace violent events and employee prescription claims for anti-depressants and anxiolytics combined (RR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.01-2.33) and anti-depressants alone (RR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.10-2.48). No significant association between reported violent events and health claims for treatment of depression or anxiety was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Type II violence experienced by hospital workers may lead to increased use of psychotropic drugs, particularly anti-depressants but also anxiolytics. Our results suggest an important role of employee assistance programs in mitigating the psychological consequences of workplace violent events.
authors: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Dement
authors: Hester J
authors: HJ
authors: Lipscomb
authors: Ashley L
authors: AL
authors: Schoenfisch
authors: Lisa A
authors: LA
authors: Pompeii
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D064450:Workplace Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: employee assistance programs; health care workers; mental health services; psychotropic medications; workplace violence (Type II)