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Patterson S, Flaws D, Latu J, Doo I, Tronstad O. Patient aggression in intensive care: A qualitative study of staff experiences. Aust Crit Care 2023; 36:77-83. [PMID: 35428553 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2022.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workplace violence comprises abuse, assaults, threats, and harassment. Reaching epidemic proportions in healthcare, workplace violence compromises staff and patient safety and service efficiency and effectiveness. Although workplace violence is a nontrivial problem in intensive care, little is known about circumstances in which violence occurs in this setting. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe and reflect upon aggression towards staff in the intensive care unit (ICU) from the perspectives of staff members. METHODS We investigated workplace violence in a qualitative study with data collected from semistructured interviews with 19 staff members of a 10-bed ICU, analysed using a framework approach. FINDINGS All participants reported witnessing or experiencing physical and/or verbal aggression. While acknowledging that 'any patient' could become aggressive, participants differentiated 'any patients admitted for treatment of somatic illnesses' from 'dangerous' patients and interpreted violence differently dependent on characteristics of perpetrators. 'Dangerousness' was associated with patients who had a comorbid mental illness. Aggression of 'dangerous patients' was construed as intentional and/or 'normal aberrant' behaviour for the individual. Staff reported feeling ill-prepared to work effectively with this cohort and having difficulty responding empathically. Mental health services were considered 'responsible' for managing patients' drug use, personality, and psychiatric problems. CONCLUSION Perceived knowledge and skill deficits, as well as stigma when engaging with certain subpopulations, contribute to workplace violence in the ICU setting. ICU staff members seek education and support to improve management of patients and reduce risk of violence. However, effectiveness depends on robust service and organisational commitment and strategies to promote workplace health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Patterson
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Dylan Flaws
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Metro North Mental Health, Caboolture Hospital, Queensland, Australia; School of Clinical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Jiville Latu
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Irene Doo
- Intensive Care Unit, Redcliffe Hospital, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Oystein Tronstad
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Physiotherapy Department, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Flaws DF, Barnett A, Fraser J, Latu J, Ramanan M, Tabah A, Tippett V, Tronstad O, Patterson S. A protocol for tracking outcomes post intensive care. Nurs Crit Care 2021; 27:341-347. [PMID: 33609311 DOI: 10.1111/nicc.12613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Critically ill patients are more likely to survive intensive care than ever before due to advances in treatment. However, a proportion subsequently experiences post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) incurring substantial personal, social, and economic costs. PICS is a debilitating set of physical, psychological, and cognitive sequelae but the size and characteristics of the affected population have been difficult to describe, impeding progress in intensive care rehabilitation. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this protocol is to describe recovery after admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and the predictors, correlates, and patient-reported outcomes for those experiencing PICS. The study will support the development of screening, diagnostic, and outcome measures to improve post-ICU recovery. DESIGN A prospective, multi-site observational study in three ICUs in Brisbane, Australia. Following consent, data will be collected from clinical records and using validated self-report instruments from 300 patients, followed up at 6 weeks and 6 months post ICU discharge. METHODS TOPIC is a prospective, multi-site observational study using self-report and clinical data on risk factors, including comorbidities, and outcomes. Data will be collected with consent from hospital records and participants 6 weeks and 6months post ICU discharge. RESULTS The main outcome measures will be self-reported physical, cognitive, and psychological function 6 weeks and 6 months post-ICU discharge. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This protocol provides a methodological framework to measure recovery and understand PICS. Data analysis will describe characteristics associated with recovery and PICS. The subsequent prediction and screening tools developed then aim to improve the effectiveness of post-ICU prevention and rehabilitation through more targeted screening and prediction and found a program of research developing a more tailored approach to PICS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan F Flaws
- Department of Mental Health, Metro North Mental Health, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Intensive Care, Critical Care Research Group, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adrian Barnett
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - John Fraser
- Department of Intensive Care, Critical Care Research Group, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jiville Latu
- Department of Intensive Care, Intensive Care Unit, Redcliffe Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mahesh Ramanan
- Department of Intensive Care, Intensive Care Unit, Caboolture Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Intensive Care, Adult Intensive Care Services, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Critical Care Division, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexis Tabah
- Department of Intensive Care, Intensive Care Unit, Redcliffe Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Vivienne Tippett
- School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Oystein Tronstad
- Department of Intensive Care, Critical Care Research Group, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Physiotherapy Department, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sue Patterson
- Department of Mental Health, Metro North Mental Health, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Intensive Care, Critical Care Research Group, Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Dentistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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