Workplace Violence Against Emergency Nurses in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Workplace violence against emergency nurses is common worldwide. This study aimed to gain a more thorough overview of the point prevalence of workplace violence against emergency nurses and the preventive measures used in emergency departments in Taiwan.

Methods: In this multicenter, descriptive, cross-sectional study, the questionnaire, Violence Against Nurses Working in Emergency Departments, was used to collect data from 407 nurses working at 5 emergency departments in Taiwan from May to October 2015.

Results: The results revealed that 378 emergency nurses (92.9%) experienced workplace violence over the last 2 years. The average visual analog scale score (1-10) of security effectiveness in preventing workplace violence was 5.0 (SD = 1.97). The average visual analog scale score of perceived safety level in terms of workplace violence was 4.38 (SD = 2.06). The average visual analog scale score of meeting nurses' needs was 5.72 (SD = 2.23).

Discussion: This questionnaire survey revealed that the current preventive measures for workplace violence against emergency nurses in Taiwan were not effective. The relevant measures should be improved, thereby reducing the prevalence and severity of workplace violence against emergency nurses.

Keywords: Emergency department; Nurses; Questionnaire; Workplace violence.