Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41933441›Full record

Observational studyJournal of clinical nursing2026

Triggers, Responses, and Outcomes for Patient Related Violence and/or Aggression Events During Acute Hospitalisation: A Documentary Analysis.

Debra Kerr, Alison M Hutchinson, Elisa Ilarda, Louise Alexander, Susan Perlen, Nicole Davies, Trish Mant, Angela Skazlic, Joanna Petrunic, Rachel Mrhar and 1 more

Abstract readMulticenter StudyObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Journal of clinical nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Debra KerrWestern Health, St Albans, Victoria, Australia.
Alison M HutchinsonSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Centre for Quality & Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5065-2726
Elisa IlardaSafety, Risk and Emergency Management, Western Health, St Albans, Victoria, Australia.
Louise AlexanderSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Centre for Quality & Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1686-1476
Susan PerlenSchool of Nursing & Midwifery, Centre for Quality & Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7814-9743
Nicole DaviesWestern Health, St Albans, Victoria, Australia.
Trish MantHead Practice Development Unit, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Angela SkazlicBarwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Joanna PetrunicWestern Health, St Albans, Victoria, Australia.
Rachel MrharBarwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Adam SearbyMental Health Nursing, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7457-3221

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo examine triggers, responses, and outcomes for patient-related violence and/or aggression events during acute hospitalisation.

designThis was a descriptive observational study undertaken at two healthcare organisations.

methodsPre-existing data were extracted from organisational incident reports and individual medical records during a retrospective period (1/1/2023 to 30/6/2023) and a prospective period (7/6/2024 to 16/11/2024). Violence and/or aggression events requiring an organisational response that involved patients hospitalised in general ward areas at a metropolitan (Site A) and a regional (Site B) site were included. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

resultsThe sample included 100 retrospective cases and 42 prospective cases. The most prevalent causes for hospitalisation related to a medical or mental health condition and dementia. Confusion and irritability were the most common forms of behaviour of concern prior to the event. Physical restraint was utilised more frequently in the prospective period compared with the retrospective period. Chemical restraint was used in approximately half of the cases in both study periods. A form of physical violence was the most prevalent behavioural symptom in both periods, followed by verbal aggression and inability to be re-directed.

conclusionPatients with a pre-existing medical condition, confusion and/or dementia are frequently involved in violent and/or aggressive events in ward settings. Physical and chemical restraints are commonly used to manage violence and aggression. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: Alternative strategies are needed to manage occupational violence and aggression to minimise the need for physical and/or chemical restraint. IMPACT: This study addresses a gap in evidence regarding triggers, responses and outcomes for patients exhibiting violence and aggression in ward settings during hospitalisation. Patients with dementia, confusion and irritability frequently exhibit behaviours of concern, exposing healthcare workers to potential physical and psychological harm. REPORTING

methodSTROBE checklist. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.

Indexed as

AggressionHospitalizationViolenceAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overDocument AnalysisFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesRestraint, PhysicalRetrospective StudiesYoung Adultaggressionhealthcare professionalhospitalresponseviolenceward

Identifiers

PMID41933441
PMCPMC13353553

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.