Denise Powley reflects on an abusive and potentially violent incident involving a patient with alcohol dependence and mental health problems
Emergency department (ED) staff, particularly nursing students and inexperienced nurses, are at risk of violence and aggression from patients. However, by reflecting on violent incidents, nurses can gain new knowledge, improve their practice and prepare themselves for similar incidents. This article refers to the Gibbs reflective cycle to analyse a violent incident involving a patient with mental health and alcohol-dependence problems that occurred in the author’s ED. It also identifies strategies for nurses to pre-empt and defuse violent situations.
Emergency Nurse. 21, 4, 26-29. doi: 10.7748/en2013.07.21.4.26.e687
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 02 July 2012
Accepted: 13 June 2013
Keywords :
or
Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now
Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more