The continual monitoring of violent workplace occurrences
The continual monitoring of violent workplace occurrences is an important evaluation strategy for WPV programs. This can be accomplished by conducting frequent surveys of nurses to see whether they are still exposed to hostile environments while performing their duties. According to Arnetz and Arnetz (2000), the Violent Incident Form (VIF) is an important monitoring tool. It helps to simplify the registration of violent events. The checklist focuses on many variables such as location, repercussions, time, and event descriptions (Arnetz & Arnetz, 2000).
A consistent reporting system
A consistent reporting system, as well as regular report review, are also necessary for evaluating the applied tactics. Drummond, Sparr, & Gordon (1989) have proposed the use of reporting mechanism as a means of controlling violent behavior at the workplace. When completed correctly, this tool provides information regarding the type, location, and seriousness of the violent incidents reported (Drummond, Sparr, & Gordon, 1989). Reporting also encourages staff victims to record their narrative descriptions which can be used to improve the prevention measures put in place.
Surveying programs that measure effectiveness
Surveying programs that measure effectiveness of the implementation strategies can help in evaluation. Arnetz & Arnetz (2000) describe such scenario in which feedback discussions are held regularly. This method encourages the staff to present their perception on the WPV before and after the interventions. The VIF checklist can help in this case; the staff would be asked to explain whether violent cases still reoccur and how they have dealt with them as opposed to prior intervention (Mackay, 2017).
Challenges and Opportunities
The key challenge faced by employers is the difficulty in identifying the signs of WPV among the employee. Changes in employee behavior such as depression, irrational beliefs, or paranoia may not suggest that a worker may be violent; this presents a challenge in making decisions regarding the employee (Wang, O'Brien-Pallas, & Hayes, 2008).
Prevention programs such as training increases costs in an organization
Prevention programs such as training increases costs in an organization. The management would be expected to invest in various training programs that address the implementation strategies for dealing with WPV (Brown, 2016). For instance, a hospital would have quarterly training that recognizes the different stages of assault and measurement to avoid potential violence encounters. These costs, however, are incurred by the employer.
Utilizing existing technologies and creating incident response procedures
Opportunities include utilizing existing technologies and creating incident response procedures to prevent any possible violence reoccurrence. Some of the physical controls that can help avoid WPV are: key codes that control access to rooms, having lighting in the parking lots, locking the doors, and ensuring every employee has a badge (Graves, 2017). Technology such as GPS duress alarm has been used in the cases where nurses do home visits; these can be used to locate and respond to the violent incidents.
Developing, implementing, and practicing incident response procedures
Developing, implementing, and practicing incident response procedures are essential to control WPV. This should involve identifying a response team that provide immediate care for the victims of violence and reestablishing the working areas (Brown, 2016). Every organization is also expected to have a crisis management team that investigates complaints of violent threats and offer support in managing difficult employees. The response team must also carry out emergency drills frequently to test the incident response procedures.
References
Arnetz, J. E., & Arnetz, B. B. (2000). Implementation and evaluation of a practical intervention programme for dealing with violence towards health care workers. Journal of advanced nursing, 31(3), 668-680.
Brown, A. H. (2016). Workplace Violence Prevention Program to Improve Nurses' Perception of Safety in the Emergency Department (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).
Drummond, D. J., Sparr, L. F., & Gordon, G. H. (1989). Hospital violence reduction among high-risk patients. Jama, 261(17), 2531-2534.
Graves, J. (2017). Preventing HealthCare Workplace Violence Toolkit©.
Mackay, A. (2017). The Critical Role of the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team in the Adoption of a Violence Risk Assessment Tool (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).
Wang, S., O'Brien-Pallas, L. L., & Hayes, L. (2008). A review and evaluation of workplace violence prevention programs in the health sector. Toronto: Nursing Health Services Research Unit.
