Violence towards Emergency Nurses. The 2016 Italian National Survey: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: To analyse the dimensions and characteristics of Violence towards Emergency Nurses in a national context (Italy). BACKGROUND: Nurses are the most exposed to workplace violence, especially in Emergency Department contexts. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in all Italian regions. Descriptive analyses were used to examine violence from patients and relatives (Type II violence) concerning personal characteristics of the emergency nurses and perpetrators, environmental and organisational factors. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to investigate risk factors. RESULTS: 76.0% of Emergency nurses experienced verbal violence, 15.5% both verbal and physical violence and only 8.5% denied having experienced either. Older age and more experience in Emergency settings are protective factors. Whilst working in the South of Italy significantly increases the probability of being exposed. DISCUSSION: There are many factors explaining violence, but some correlations are not clear. CONCLUSION: The following factors can have a positive effect on this problem: Providing specific training for the youngest nurses, creating a strong alliance between users and health personnel to restore a relationship of trust between the parties and investing in physical barriers and adopting appropriate architectural measures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.