Interventions to Prevent Patient- and Visitor-Perpetrated Violence Against Nurses in the Emergency Department: A Scoping Review.

aimTo identify interventions and strategies to prevent patient- and visitor-perpetrated violence against nurses working in acute hospital Emergency Departments. Design Scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and CINAHL to identify relevant studies published up to June 2024. The review included primary research studies employing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. Eligibility criteria focused on interventions aimed at preventing physical and verbal violence in acute hospital emergency settings, explicitly targeting nurses. The selection process followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines, with independent screening and data extraction by two reviewer pairs. Data Sources PubMed and CINAHL databases were searched for studies published up to June 2024.

resultsA total of 40 studies were included, covering interventions across 11 countries, mostly from the United States. Interventions were categorised as organisational, environmental, or individual-focused. Training programs were the most common strategy, followed by risk assessment tools, defense strategies, multidisciplinary briefings, and technology-assisted interventions. Most interventions (73%) were implemented before violent incidents, 23% during, and 5% after. Healthcare workers, particularly nurses, were the primary target group, highlighting the need for effective preventive strategies.

conclusionViolence prevention interventions in Emergency Departments focus on pre-incident strategies, mainly organisational and individual-focused. Limited attention has been given to environmental interventions despite their role in mitigating workplace violence. Further research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of these strategies. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Addressing workplace violence in EDs ensures a safer work environment, improves staff retention, and enhances patient care quality. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.