Keywords :
Category of violence, incidence of violence, communication skills, hazard prevention and control, patient safety.

ABSTRACT

Objectives
Considering violent and abusive behavior of patients, visitors or staff to be part of the job is no longer acceptable, nor is it safe; as hospitals face dangerous situations frequently. Health care workers are at risk of violence related injuries. Need was felt to study violence at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Jammu and Kashmir.

Methods
A prospective study was carried out at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Srinagar (India) for a period of six months to collect data regarding all instances of violence reported during study period. Study population was employees of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. A cross-sectional study was simultaneously carried out for which a questionnaire was used and 15% of all categories of employees who have public dealing in hospital were studied using stratified random sampling and data regarding violence faced during last one year was collected.

Results
Instances of violence were reported more often during evening hours. Accident and Emergency department is more vulnerable to violence. Type II Violence is the most frequent category. All the security attendants and medical postgraduates faced some sort of violence. Among the prominent reasons of violence are arrogant staff and attendants, huge rush of patient attendants, patients not satisfied with treatment, non-availability of bed etc.

Conclusion
Training regarding development of communication skills among staff is essential. Policies and procedures need to be laid down to ensure patient safety. Waiting time has to be reduced. Hospital security should be modernized and well equipped. Instances of violence in hospitals will decrease only when quality patient care is ensured.