Survey: ED physicians say assaults increasing

More than 80% of emergency physicians believe the rate of violence experienced in emergency departments (EDs) has increased, according to a poll conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). Forty-five percent of respondents said the rate of violence has “greatly increased over the past five years.” Nearly 90% of the emergency physicians responding reported a loss of productivity, and 85% reported emotional trauma and an increase in anxiety. In addition, previous data shows nurses and other front-line health care workers are much more likely to be victims of aggravated assault at work than workers in any other industry. According to the ACEP poll, those most often responsible for assaults are psychiatric patients (42%) and those seeking drugs or under the influence of drugs or alcohol (40%). ACEP conducted the poll online between July 25 and Aug.1, with 2,712 respondents. (HealthLeaders Media article, 10/3/22)