Violence in the Emergency Department

Large number of healthcare workers suffer from workplace violence, and the emergency department nurse (ED) is at high risk. While most nurses take violence as part of the job, they feel unsafe at work and perceive themselves as being vulnerable to the occurrence of violence (Carlette, 2005).

The factors placing the ED at increased risk for violence are 24-hour accessibility, lack of security guards, family member stress, overcrowding, and long wait times (Ray, 2007). According to the Emergency Nurses Association position statement, hospitals should adopt a “zero tolerance” policy on violence in order to create a safe work environment (Emergency Nurses Association Position Statement: Violence in the Emergency Department). ENA also states that violence prevention training should be provided.

Many healthcare institutions have adopted multi-pronged strategies for violence detection and prevention. Key references for violence assessment and prevention can be found by clicking the links below.

Position Statements

Overview on Violence in the Emergency Department

Assessment and Prevention

Other Resources

Special thanks to Nicole Hoke, Laura Dechant, Hanyoung Park for the research and primary development of this web content. This project was undertaken as part of a fellowship arrangement between ENA and Widener University-School of Nursing, Chester, Pennsylvania.