An Urgent Need to Understand and Address the Safety and Well-Being of Hospital "Sitters"

作者：Schoenfisch Ashley L^*; Pompeii Lisa A; Lipscomb Hester J; Smith Claudia D; Upadhyaya Mudita; Dement John M

来源：American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 2015, 58(12): 1278-1287.

DOI：10.1002/ajim.22529

• type II violence
• sitters
• mixed-methods
• workplace violence
• constant observation

Background Hospital sitters provide continuous observation of patients at risk of harming themselves or others. Little is known about sitters' occupational safety and wellbeing, including experiences with patient/visitor-perpetrated violence (type II).
Methods Data from surveys, focus groups, individual interviews at six U.S. hospitals were used to characterize the prevalence of and circumstance surrounding type II violence against sitters, as well as broader issues related to sitter use.
Results Sitter respondents had a high 12-month prevalence of physical assault, physical threat, and verbal abuse compared to other workers in the hospital setting. Sitters and other staff indicated the need for clarification of sitters' roles regarding patient care and sitter well-being (e.g., calling for assistance, taking lunch/restroom breaks), training of sitters in personal safety and de-escalation, methods to communicate patient/visitor behaviors, and unit-level support.
Conclusions The burden of type II violence against hospital sitters is concerning. Policies surrounding sitters' roles and violence prevention training are urgently needed.

• 出版日期2015-12