Abstract
Introduction
Occupational violence in emergency departments is prevalent and detrimental to staff
and health services. There is an urgent call for solutions; accordingly, this study
describes the implementation and early impacts of the digital Queensland Occupational
Violence Patient Risk Assessment Tool (kwov-pro).
Methods
Since December 7, 2021, emergency nurses have been using the Queensland Occupational
Violence Patient Risk Assessment Tool to assess 3 occupational violence risk factors
in patients: aggression history, behaviors, and clinical presentation. Violence risk
then is categorized as low (0 risk factors), moderate (1 risk factor), or high (2-3
risk factors). An important feature of this digital innovation is the alert and flagging
system for high-risk patients. Underpinned by the Implementation Strategies for Evidence-Based
Practice Guide, from November 2021 to March 2022 we progressively mobilized a range
of strategies, including e-learning, implementation drivers, and regular communications.
Early impacts measured were the percentage of nurses who completed their e-learning,
the proportion of patients assessed using the Queensland Occupational Violence Patient
Risk Assessment Tool, and the number of reported violent incidents in the emergency
department.
Results
Overall, 149 of 195 (76%) of emergency nurses completed their e-learning. Further,
adherence to Queensland Occupational Violence Patient Risk Assessment Tool was good,
with 65% of patients assessed for risk of violence at least once. Since implementing
the Queensland Occupational Violence Patient Risk Assessment Tool, there has been
a progressive decrease in violent incidents reported in the emergency department.
Discussion
Using a combination of strategies, the Queensland Occupational Violence Patient Risk
Assessment Tool was successfully implemented in the emergency department with the
indication that it could reduce the number of incidents of occupational violence.
The work herein provides a foundation for future translation and robust evaluation
of the Queensland Occupational Violence Patient Risk Assessment Tool in emergency
departments.
Key words
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Biography
C.J. Cabilan is a Clinical Research Officer, Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia; and Adjunct Lecturer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia. Twitter: @cjcabilan. ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8465-8026.
Biography
Joshua McRae was a Clinical Nurse Consultant, Clinical Informatics and Data Analytics, Office of the Chief Clinical Information Officer, Clinical Excellence Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Twitter: @JoshuaMcRae15.
Biography
Katherine Ganzon is a Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
Biography
Casey Appo is a Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
Biography
Stefanie Rogers is a Nurse Educator, Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
Biography
Madeline O’Sullivan is a Registered Nurse, Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
Biography
Robert Eley is an Academic Research Manager, Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia; and Faculty of Medicine, Southside Clinical Unit, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia. ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0856-4313.
Biography
Centaine Snoswell is a Health Economics Research Fellow, Center for Online Health, Center for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia. Twitter: @CSnoswell. ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4298-9369.
Biography
Amy Johnston is a Nurse Researcher, Emergency Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia; and Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia. Twitter: @amynbjohnston1. ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9979-997X.
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Publication history
Published online: March 03, 2023
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