Workplace Aggression and Violence

Abstract

The ideas or opinions expressed in this editorial are those solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASPAN, the Journal, or the Publisher. Jan Odom-Forren, MS, RN, CPAN, FAAN, is a Perianesthesia Nursing Consultant and works prn in Phase II Recovery at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, KY, and is a PhD candidate and an Instructor at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. Address correspondence to Jan Odom-Forren, MS, RN, CPAN, FAAN, 800 Edenwood Circle, Louisville, KY 40243; e-mail address: jodom29373@aol.com. 2009 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. 1089-9472/09/2402-0001$36.00/0 doi:10.1016/j.jopan.2009.02.004 IN THIS ISSUE OF JoPAN you will find the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety’s Statement on Violence in the Workplace. It is a significant problem when a formal statement on workplace violence is required that includes risk factors and recommendations for action. I doubt that many reading this editorial will have to ask why the statement is needed. Unfortunately, disruptive behavior has been a problem for many years. What we now know is that disruptive behavior not only affects job satisfaction, but patient safety as well. One finding in a survey by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices was that 49% of respondents believed past experiences with intimidation altered how they handled order clarification or questions about medication orders. This survey solidified a link between intimidation and a risk to patient safety.