J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2005 Apr;16(2):221-228.

Effect of an Education Program on Violence in the Emergency Department

• Choi WJ
• Cho SH
• Cho NS
• Kim GS

Abstract

PURPOSE
In response to a growing threat of violence in hospitals, we examined a specific educational effort to reduce emergency department (ED) violence in the shortterm.
METHODS
Cross-sectional prospective surveys were conducted at Chosun University Hospital Emergency Center during a baseline period from May 26 to Jul. 9. 2003, and during a post-education period from Aug. 7 to Sep. 20. 2003. Questions addressed the degree of violence, the reason for the violence, demographic information about the perpetrator of the violence, the outbreak time of the violence and the response of emergency personnel.
RESULTS
After an education program on violence, the rate of violent events in the ED was decreased by 23.5%. A notable change was that ED workers handled the violence more positively during the post-education period by isolating or restraining the aggressor. Almost all of the violence was caused by males, particularly those in their third or fourth decade. The violence occurred mostly on the night shift. Of the violence, 52.4% was caused by the patient while 34.8% was caused by the patient's guardian. The leading causes of violence were drunkenness and delays in laboratory tests and treatment. Verbal abuse and threats were the most concern forms of violence.
CONCLUSION
Violent events are frequent in the ED. Education programs may reduce the number of events at least temporarily.

Keyword

Violence; Emergency; Medicine; Education

MeSH Terms

Alcoholic Intoxication
Education*
Emergencies*
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies
Violence*