An urgent need to understand and address the safety and well-being of hospital "sitters".
BACKGROUND
Hospital sitters provide continuous observation of patients at risk of harming themselves or others. Little is known about sitters' occupational safety and well-being, including experiences with patient/visitor-perpetrated violence (type II).


METHODS
Data from surveys, focus groups, individual interviews at six U.S. hospitals were used to characterize the prevalence of and circumstance surrounding type II violence against sitters, as well as broader issues related to sitter use.


RESULTS
Sitter respondents had a high 12-month prevalence of physical assault, physical threat, and verbal abuse compared to other workers in the hospital setting. Sitters and other staff indicated the need for clarification of sitters' roles regarding patient care and sitter well-being (e.g., calling for assistance, taking lunch/restroom breaks), training of sitters in personal safety and de-escalation, methods to communicate patient/visitor behaviors, and unit-level support.


CONCLUSIONS
The burden of type II violence against hospital sitters is concerning. Policies surrounding sitters' roles and violence prevention training are urgently needed.
Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina.|Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Duke, University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Ashley L
AL
Schoenfisch
School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
Lisa A
LA
Pompeii
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Duke, University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Hester J
HJ
Lipscomb
CHI St. Luke's Health - Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, Houston, Texas.
Claudia D
CD
Smith
Division of Management, Policy and Community Health, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas.
Mudita
M
Upadhyaya
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Duke, University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
John M
JM
Dement
D000328:Adult; D000720:Ancillary Services, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D016272:Occupational Health; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014789:Visitors to Patients; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D064450:Workplace Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
constant observation; mixed-methods; sitters; type II violence; workplace violence