Development and application of a population-based system for workplace violence surveillance in hospitals

BACKGROUND: A unique and comprehensive reporting and population-based violence surveillance system in a multi-site hospital system is presented. METHODS: Incidence rates and rate ratios (RR) were calculated by year, hospital, violence type, and job category in six hospitals, 2003-2008. RESULTS: Incidence rates per hospital for the 6-year period ranged from a low of 1.52 to a high of 10.89 incidents/100 full-time equivalents (FTEs), with the highest risk at a hospital with an outpatient mental health facility (RR = 7.16, 95%CI = 5.17-10.26). Rates for worker-on-worker violence exceeded rates for patient-to-worker violence from 2004 to 2008. Mental health technicians (RR = 13.82, 95%CI = 1.13-17.29) and security personnel (RR = 2.25, CI = 1.68-3.00) were at greatest risk for violence. CONCLUSIONS: This surveillance system provides ongoing information on professional groups and hospital departments at risk and trends in violence reporting over time. It can be used to determine where appropriate violence prevention efforts are most needed, and to evaluate violence interventions.