This two-phase study was designed to estimate the extent of, and identify specific risk factors for, work-related violence among randomly sampled Minnesota registered and licensed practical nurses. A comprehensive survey was used to identify those who experienced physical assault (PA), or non-physical violence (NP=threat, sexual harassment, or verbal abuse). The second (case-control) phase (76% response) is in progress. Of 6300 nurses, 74% responded to the first phase; 14% reported PA and 38% reported NP in the past year. In analyses of response bias, odds of response were higher with age, for women, and for registered nurses. Perpetrators were patients in 95% of the PA and 65% of the NP events. Consequences appeared greater from non-physical than physical violence. In analyses adjusted for response time, age, gender, and license type, odds of PA and NP increased for work exposure in nursing homes versus inpatient hospitals (odds ratios 2.4 and 1.4, respectively), and psychiatric/behavioral (1.9, 3.4) or emergency departments (2.1, 2.7) versus medical/surgical units. Odds of PA and NP decreased with age (0.98 and 0.99 per year). Odds of PA increased with exposure to geriatric (versus adult) populations (2.0). Odds of NP increased for work in: a rehabilitation facility versus inpatient hospital (3.5); county versus private ownership (1.4); intensive care versus medical/surgical unit (1.4); and supervising patient care (1.4) or case management (1.5) versus performing patient care. Through the incorporation of a comprehensive model, a case-control design, and validation studies, this effort will fill critical gaps in the literature.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Violence, Occupational Injury and Death
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.