Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon
Abstract Background Globally, healthcare institutions have seen a marked rise in workplace violence (WPV), especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began, affecting primarily acute care and emergency departments (EDs). At the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada, WPV incidents in EDs jum...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Emergency Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-024-01144-1 |
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| author | Christian Schulz-Quach Brendan Lyver Charlene Reynolds Trevor Hanagan Jennifer Haines John Shannon Laura Danielle Pozzobon Yasemin Sarraf Sam Sabbah Sahand Ensafi Natasha Bloomberg Jaswanth Gorla Brendan Singh Lucas B. Chartier Marnie Escaf Diana Elder Marc Toppings Brian Hodges Rickinder Sethi |
| author_facet | Christian Schulz-Quach Brendan Lyver Charlene Reynolds Trevor Hanagan Jennifer Haines John Shannon Laura Danielle Pozzobon Yasemin Sarraf Sam Sabbah Sahand Ensafi Natasha Bloomberg Jaswanth Gorla Brendan Singh Lucas B. Chartier Marnie Escaf Diana Elder Marc Toppings Brian Hodges Rickinder Sethi |
| author_sort | Christian Schulz-Quach |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Globally, healthcare institutions have seen a marked rise in workplace violence (WPV), especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began, affecting primarily acute care and emergency departments (EDs). At the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada, WPV incidents in EDs jumped 169% from 0.43 to 1.15 events per 1000 visits (p < 0.0001). In response, UHN launched a comprehensive, systems-based quality improvement (QI) project to ameliorate WPV. This study details the development of the project’s design and key takeaways, with a focus on presenting trauma-informed strategies for addressing WPV in healthcare through the lens of health systems innovation. Methods Our multi-intervention QI initiative was guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 3.0 framework. We utilized the SEIPS 101 tools to aid in crafting each QI intervention. Results Using the SEIPS 3.0 framework and SEIPS 101 tools, we gained a comprehensive understanding of organizational processes, patient experiences, and the needs of HCPs and patient-facing staff at UHN. This information allowed us to identify areas for improvement and develop a large-scale QI initiative comprising 12 distinct subprojects to address WPV at UHN. Conclusions Our QI team successfully developed a comprehensive QI project tailored to our organization’s needs. To support healthcare institutions in addressing WPV, we created a 12-step framework designed to assist in developing a systemic QI approach tailored to their unique requirements. This framework offers actionable strategies for addressing WPV in healthcare settings, derived from the successes and challenges encountered during our QI project. By applying a systems-based approach that incorporates trauma-informed strategies and fosters a culture of mutual respect, institutions can develop strategies to minimize WPV and promote a safer work environment for patients, families, staff, and HCPs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9dbd2e7433a54fb1b0031b82fbb5da91 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-227X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-9dbd2e7433a54fb1b0031b82fbb5da912025-01-19T12:12:50ZengBMCBMC Emergency Medicine1471-227X2025-01-0125112910.1186/s12873-024-01144-1Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenonChristian Schulz-Quach0Brendan Lyver1Charlene Reynolds2Trevor Hanagan3Jennifer Haines4John Shannon5Laura Danielle Pozzobon6Yasemin Sarraf7Sam Sabbah8Sahand Ensafi9Natasha Bloomberg10Jaswanth Gorla11Brendan Singh12Lucas B. Chartier13Marnie Escaf14Diana Elder15Marc Toppings16Brian Hodges17Rickinder Sethi18Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkTemerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkTemerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoUniversity Health NetworkTemerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkUniversity Health NetworkTemerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoTemerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoAbstract Background Globally, healthcare institutions have seen a marked rise in workplace violence (WPV), especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began, affecting primarily acute care and emergency departments (EDs). At the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada, WPV incidents in EDs jumped 169% from 0.43 to 1.15 events per 1000 visits (p < 0.0001). In response, UHN launched a comprehensive, systems-based quality improvement (QI) project to ameliorate WPV. This study details the development of the project’s design and key takeaways, with a focus on presenting trauma-informed strategies for addressing WPV in healthcare through the lens of health systems innovation. Methods Our multi-intervention QI initiative was guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 3.0 framework. We utilized the SEIPS 101 tools to aid in crafting each QI intervention. Results Using the SEIPS 3.0 framework and SEIPS 101 tools, we gained a comprehensive understanding of organizational processes, patient experiences, and the needs of HCPs and patient-facing staff at UHN. This information allowed us to identify areas for improvement and develop a large-scale QI initiative comprising 12 distinct subprojects to address WPV at UHN. Conclusions Our QI team successfully developed a comprehensive QI project tailored to our organization’s needs. To support healthcare institutions in addressing WPV, we created a 12-step framework designed to assist in developing a systemic QI approach tailored to their unique requirements. This framework offers actionable strategies for addressing WPV in healthcare settings, derived from the successes and challenges encountered during our QI project. By applying a systems-based approach that incorporates trauma-informed strategies and fosters a culture of mutual respect, institutions can develop strategies to minimize WPV and promote a safer work environment for patients, families, staff, and HCPs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-024-01144-1Workplace Violence in Health CareQuality ImprovementEmergency DepartmentPandemic RecoveryHealth Systems Innovation |
| spellingShingle | Christian Schulz-Quach Brendan Lyver Charlene Reynolds Trevor Hanagan Jennifer Haines John Shannon Laura Danielle Pozzobon Yasemin Sarraf Sam Sabbah Sahand Ensafi Natasha Bloomberg Jaswanth Gorla Brendan Singh Lucas B. Chartier Marnie Escaf Diana Elder Marc Toppings Brian Hodges Rickinder Sethi Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon BMC Emergency Medicine Workplace Violence in Health Care Quality Improvement Emergency Department Pandemic Recovery Health Systems Innovation |
| title | Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon |
| title_full | Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon |
| title_fullStr | Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon |
| title_short | Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon |
| title_sort | understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare a canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon |
| topic | Workplace Violence in Health Care Quality Improvement Emergency Department Pandemic Recovery Health Systems Innovation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-024-01144-1 |
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