Nurses Look to Cope with Rising Attacks in Workplace

New York, NY (WorkersCompensation.com) - A new report has found that on average, two nurses are assaulted every hour in the U.S.

That trend has some nurses look for ways to keep themselves safe on the job.

The report, an analysis of Press Ganey's National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators for the second quarter of 2022, found that more than 5,200 healthcare workers were assaulted during that time period, for an average of 57 every day. Psychiatric units, ERs and pediatric units had the highest number of assaults. Obstetrical and NICU units were the "safest" units with the lowest number of assaults. Psychiatric and rehabilitation units were the most likely to have assaults that resulted in moderate to severe injuries to the healthcare worker. 

Patients were responsible for most of the attacks, but family members, visitors, intruders and even co-workers carried out attacks, the study found. Of the patients who assaulted healthcare workers, males were more likely to be aggressors, except in pediatric units and rehab units. 

Researchers said the number of assaults was likely higher because many times nurses don't report them. 

"Nurses take an oath to do no harm, and many put their own safety and health at risk to help a patient. However, violence should not be considered 'just part of the job,'" Jeff Doucette, chief nursing officer at Press Ganey said in a statement. "What's especially concerning about these numbers is that they are likely even higher, as assaults generally go underreported by healthcare professionals — and nurses in particular." 

Violence against healthcare workers has been on the rise for some time, the report said, and seemed to increase during the pandemic. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers are nearly five times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers overall. 

Just this week, a nurse in New York City was fatally stabbed by a patient. 

Officials said an emergency medical worker, Alison Russo-Elling, 61, was stabbed multiple times in the neck while working in Queens on Sept. 28. The Russo-Elling, a 24-year veteran of the FDNY EMS, was brought to Mt. Sinai Queens Hospital at 2:20 p.m. where she was declared dead. 

"Members of EMS serve only to help and save other people's lives," Acting FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said. "To be attacked and killed in the course of helping others is both heartbreaking and enraging for our department in ways I cannot describe. Lt. Russo exemplified FDNY EMS. She served this city for 25 years, she was a World Trade Center first responder, she was cited multiple times for her bravery and her life saving work and she was absolutely beloved on this job."

The American Nurses' Association recently launched an initiative called "End Nurse Abuse" that provided nurses with webinars, educational videos and a pledge nurses can sigh to end workplace violence. Nursing organizations across the country have been working on addressing the issue.

Some are taking self-defense courses, while others are reaching out to legislators and Congress members to pass legislation that would protect them. Warner Thomas, president and CEO of New Orleans-based Ochsner Health, asked legislators in his state to increase penalties for anyone who attacks a healthcare worker.

"Workplace violence against healthcare workers has been escalating throughout the pandemic and has reached a point that legislation needs to be considered to make this violence a felony," Thomas said in a statement. "This consideration under review by a Louisiana task force comes as U.S. hospitals grapple with an increase in disruptive or violent incidents in hospitals — many involving hostile visitors — adding further stress to the healthcare workplace."

His calls for action came earlier this year after a nurse in the intensive care unit of his hospital was attacked by a patient's family member. Since the attack, the hospital has added more security personnel and police, he said. Additionally, the hospital is providing counseling services and support to its workers.

Doucette said he hoped other hospital administrators would step forward to take action and protect nurses.

“Violence toward nurses has reached an alarming rate, nearing, if not already, an epidemic. We are calling on all healthcare leaders to declare zero tolerance for hostility toward healthcare workers, improve caregiver well-being and advance our shared commitment to zero harm,” Doucette said. “Nurses deserve to be protected and feel safe while caring for people in their most vulnerable state.”

Share This Article: