Workplace Violence, Hostility & Safety

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Workplace violence has been documented as a global, epidemic healthcare- related problem. The American Nurses Association (ANA) describes customer/client violence as an assault from a member of the public with whom the nurse interacts during the course of their regular duties. According to the ANA's website, types of violence that contribute to unsafe work environments are varying. However the customer/client violence type is prevalently experienced in healthcare, and 1 in 4 nurses are abused and experience workplace violence.

Detailed Description
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Based on anecdotal reports at MRMC, and as a follow up to a 2020 research study, evidence-based practice research council (EBPRC) members and staff asked colleagues about stress-producing events in their scope of work. It was reported that individuals were unclear about available resources and preparation to handle unsafe environments when client/visitor behaviors escalated to aggressive or unsafe situations. The EBPRC members reviewed the MRMC policies related to violence/assault/injury towards MRMC personnel. What remains unclear is if staff are aware of existing policies and are adhering to reporting guidelines pertaining to employee and stakeholder safety. Additionally, based on literature review, the problem of workplace violence perpetrated by patients and visitors is excessive and escalating nationally and internationally. Additionally, at MRMC, the EBPRC acquired documentation of the number of reported assaults, aggressive behavior or violence of stakeholders (patients and visitors) towards healthcare providers that were documented and referred to the MRMC employee health services. From the local hospital's tally, there were 28 cases from January, 10, 2020 to February 4, 2021. Of the 28 cases, seven occurred between February 2, 2021 and February 4, 2021. Hence, it is essential to conduct a study targeting healthcare workers at MRMC to identify opportunities for further intervention that creates a safety-focused, supportive culture. The Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration require that employees and employers work together to prevent or abate recognized hazardous and cited workplace areas for concerns and develop a successful safety and health management system especially for Healthcare and Social Services workers.

Official Title
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Workplace Violence, Hostility & Safety

Conditions
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Violence

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Online Survey


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: must be a full-time, part-time or PRN [per diem] employee of MRMC who cares for or has contact with patients and visitors able to read and understand English Exclusion Criteria: Individuals who are not full-time, part-time or PRN employees of MRMC who cares for or has contact with patient s and visitors

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years


Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| healthcare workers at MRMC<br>healthcare workers at MRMC | Other: Online Survey<br>* Online survey void of individual traceable identifiers, and launched via the Survey Monkey® portal<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| An investigator-developed questionnaire and demographic tool | based on feedback from members of the EBPRC as well as a relevant literature review will be used to evaluate group demographic characteristics and perceived preparedness and exposure for handling aggressive patients/visitors at MRMC | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Education Level | High School diploma, College Associate, College Bachelor, masters, Doctoral, other | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Status of service | Full time, part-time, per diem | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Years of experience at Methodist | 6 months to more than 11 years | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Job status/title | RN, Tech/PCT or other | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Age | Current age in years | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Gender | Male or female | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Ethnicity | Caucasian/white , Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian, or other | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Which, if any, items do you consider an act of physical abuse or violence in the workplace | Hitting, Slapping, Biting, Spitting, Throwing or other | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 | 
| Have you ever experienced physical abuse at MRMC that involved a patient/visitor, within the last two years? | Yes or No | from August, 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 |