Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto.
Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto.
Workplace Health Saf. 2022 Nov;70(11):493-499. doi: 10.1177/21650799221110891. Epub 2022 Aug 17.
Workplace violence incidents remain pervasive in health care. Home care workers like personal support workers (PSWs) provide services for clients with dementia, which has been identified as a risk factor for workplace violence. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the implementation of a rapid response algorithm resolved unsafe working conditions associated with responsive behaviors and decreased perception of risk.
A nonexperimental pre- and post-evaluation design was utilized to collect data from PSWs and supervisors. PSWs completed an online survey about their experience with workplace violence and perception of risk. Bi-weekly check-ins were conducted with supervisors to track incidents and their level of resolution in the algorithm. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to gather in-depth feedback about the algorithm in practice.
We found no difference in risk perception among PSWs pre- and post-implementation. However, PSWs who had been employed for less than 1 year had a significantly higher risk perception. Overall, the algorithm was found to be helpful in resolving workplace violence incidents.
Opportunity exists to further refine the algorithm and ongoing dissemination, and implementation of the algorithm is recommended to continually address incidents of workplace violence. Newly hired PSWs may require additional supports. Ongoing education and training were identified as key mitigation strategies.
工作场所暴力事件在医疗保健领域仍然普遍存在。家庭护理工作者（如个人支持工作者）为患有痴呆症的客户提供服务，而痴呆症已被确定为工作场所暴力的一个风险因素。本研究的目的是评估实施快速响应算法是否可以解决与响应行为相关的不安全工作条件，并降低风险感知。
本研究采用非实验性的前后评估设计，从个人支持工作者和主管那里收集数据。个人支持工作者完成了一份关于其工作场所暴力经历和风险感知的在线调查。主管每两周进行一次检查，以跟踪算法中的事件及其解决程度。还进行了半结构化访谈，以收集有关算法实际应用的深入反馈。
我们发现，实施前后个人支持工作者的风险感知没有差异。然而，工作不满 1 年的个人支持工作者的风险感知明显更高。总的来说，该算法被发现有助于解决工作场所暴力事件。
有机会进一步完善算法并持续传播，建议实施该算法以持续解决工作场所暴力事件。新雇用的个人支持工作者可能需要额外的支持。持续的教育和培训被确定为关键的缓解策略。
