Knowledge Bank

Violence by patients in health-care facilities is an increasing problem that threatens the physical safety and mental health of nurses and other health-care providers. Acts of violence by patients contribute to high levels of job dissatisfaction, turnover, and burnout among providers. Workplace violence inflicted on health-care workers by patients is considered a dangerous occupational hazard that affects care delivery (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Unfortunately, nurses and other health-care workers are repeatedly exposed to different forms of violence, which have a negative impact on individuals and the profession (Phillips, 2016). Equipping nurses to prevent escalation of patients’ behaviors that can lead to violence will improve workplace safety. Evidence shows the benefits of communications skills training for de-escalation and prevention of workplace violence (Gillespie, Gates, & Farra, 2014). The purpose of this project was to evaluate and report the effect of an enhanced communication skills training program (Communication Skills for De-escalation Training) on the incidence of violence in the workplace perpetrated by patients in the admission unit of a maximum-security hospital. This project was implemented at one adult admission unit with 32 nursing staff participants. Findings from the project show a reduction in staff reported incidence of patient-inflicted workplace violence. It is anticipated that findings from the project will provide a guide for the expansion of an enhanced communication skills training throughout the maximum-security psychiatric hospital.