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Application and implementation of the hazard risk matrix to identify hospital workplaces at risk for violence
Author(s) -
Arnetz Judith E.,
Hamblin Lydia,
Ager Joel,
Aranyos Deanna,
Upfal Mark J.,
Luborsky Mark,
Russell Jim,
Essenmacher Lynnette
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22371
Subject(s) - medicine , categorization , psychological intervention , prioritization , occupational safety and health , poison control , risk assessment , medical emergency , injury prevention , hazard , confounding , suicide prevention , human factors and ergonomics , risk management , emergency medicine , environmental health , psychiatry , computer security , computer science , pathology , management science , management , chemistry , organic chemistry , artificial intelligence , economics
Background A key barrier to preventing workplace violence injury is the lack of methodology for prioritizing the allocation of limited prevention resources. The hazard risk matrix was used to categorize the probability and severity of violence in hospitals to enable prioritization of units for safety intervention. Methods Probability of violence was based on violence incidence rates; severity was based on lost time management claims for violence‐related injuries. Cells of the hazard risk matrix were populated with hospital units categorized as low, medium, or high probability and severity. Hospital stakeholders reviewed the matrix after categorization to address the possible confounding of underreporting. Results Forty‐one hospital units were categorized as medium or high on both severity and probability and were prioritized for forthcoming interventions. Probability and severity were highest in psychiatric care units. Conclusions This risk analysis tool may be useful for hospital administrators in prioritizing units for violence injury prevention efforts. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:1276–1284, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.