title: Do zero tolerance policies deskill nurses?
abstract: Although much has been written about patient aggression, its management remains problematic, with many healthcare providers adopting a "zero tolerance" approach. This article uses case studies to discuss: the negative implications associated with this policy; the background to patient aggression and other "challenging" behaviours; how nurses, midwives and other health professionals respond to them; and how they can reclaim their professional role in this important aspect of patient care.
authors.forename: Gerald A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salmon
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D006113:United Kingdom; D064450:Workplace Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*