Mitigating Workplace Violence

Workplace violence toward health care workers is a major issue. Nurses are commonly exposed to aggressive and violent patient behavior.

Health care organizations are now starting to acknowledge this trend and work toward combating it.

As a nurse, one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and protect your patient from doing something they might regret is to learn how to utilize de-escalation techniques effectively.

Before you use those de-escalation techniques, you must pick up on cues that a patient is becoming agitated or aggressive. The signs may include verbal threats, physical signs such as pacing, anxiety or even confusion.

It’s important to recognize that violence can come from patients regardless of gender, age or size and health care professionals should protect themselves regardless of these factors.

If you find a patient is becoming increasingly agitated, use the following techniques to help de-escalate the situation.