A Survey of Workplace Violence in a New Zealand Emergency Department—Is the Current Reporting System Working? A Short Report
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The ED workforce experiences high levels of workplace violence (WPV), but data is often poorly captured. This study aimed to review WPV incidents and rates of formal reporting. METHODS: Prospective electronic QR survey of WPV incidents in ED. RESULTS: Ninety respondents reported WPV incidents in ED, compared to 45 formal reports. Most WPV cases reported by nurses were from patients and were verbal in nature. Concerningly, almost 1/5 were considering leaving the ED after the WPV incident. CONCLUSION: WPV is a significant, ongoing, underreported issue in ED that harms staff well-being and threatens the retention of the future workforce.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Workplace Violence and Bullying
Intimate Partner and Family Violence
Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Emergency Medicine Australasia
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- e70223–e70223
- Publication date
- 1 February 2026
- Language
- EN