An exploration of nurses experience of alcohol related violence and caring for intoxicated patients in Accident and Emergency

This study aims to explore the violence that Accident and Emergency nurses encounter. Current literature and health policies emphasis the seriousness and prevalence of violent attacks on nurses in A&E. There is also a push towards a new Government agenda based on Zero-tolerance. The study adopted a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews. It contained six participants who were asked about their experiences of violence encountered in the A&E department. They were also asked to look at an explanation of Roach's (See Appendix 4), then asked if they felt their care towards patients had been affected as a direct influence of aggressive patients. The data was thematically analysed manually to identify prominent themes and categories that occurred in respondents accounts. Findings from the study suggest that violent situations happened most prominently on night shifts after the weekend. All of the participants experienced verbal abuse on regular occasions and two had been physically attacked. The results also suggest that nurse's care towards patients has been affected by violent patients, for various reasons. The nurses felt that their compassion and confidence had mostly been affected. Feelings that the nurses expressed were frustration and worry. Interesting views about under-reporting and nurses provoking violent incidents were expressed. All participants felt that the support available aided them in dealing and coping with the violence in the department. This support was mostly given by colleagues and not the security available. This study has limitations, including a small sample size. Findings from the study however do give an insight into nurses' feelings and attitudes about the violence in A&E. This contributes towards existing research and also makes suggestions for both future nursing research and nursing practice