Hospital team reduces violence escalation by 75%

The efforts of an interprofessional health care team to address an increase in aggressive and escalating behaviors from visitors are detailed in the February issue of Nurse Leader.  The team, who worked with a 50-bed neonatal intensive care unit, introduced an assessment tool. This tool consisted of three questions asked by staff during handoffs to help identify the risk level of parents and visitors on the unit. Responses resulted in a low-, moderate-, or high-risk ranking for the shift. The team also developed an algorithm to guide staff when faced with unacceptable behavior. Implementation of the tool and algorithm improved staff perceptions of safety on the unit by 25% and reduced escalating events by 75%.