Emergency Department Violence: a Local Scene

Abstract

ObjectivesTo study the nature, frequency and magnitude of violence in a local emergency department.DesignProspective epidemiological study in a three‐month period, during which involved staff filled in a survey form immediately after violence incidents.SettingAccident & Emergency Department of a public general hospital in the northeastern New Territories.PopulationAssailants and victims of violence in the emergency department.Main outcome measuresNature of violence, frequency, cause, morbidity, epidemiological characteristics of assailants and victims.ResultsThere were 25 incidents with 26 assailants in the three‐month period. The great majority was verbal abuse only (64%). No weapon was involved. Long waiting time (36%), deranged mental condition (28%) and dissatisfaction with service (20%) were the leading causes of violence. Assailants showed a predominance of male (69%) and age between 21–50 years. They were either patients (69%) or accompanying persons (31%). Nurses (59%) and to a lesser extent doctors (23%), were the main victims.ConclusionThe incidence of emergency department violence (0.08%) was low and the majority was verbal abuse only. Nurses bore the brunt of the violence. Long waiting time, confused patients and dissatisfied patients were high risk factors.