Hospital violence and the role of the occupational health nurse.

Between 1993 and 1999, an average of 1.7 million violent workplace incidents were recorded per year. Of the nonfatal injuries and lost days due to occupational violence, 32% occur in the health care setting. The annual incidence rate for violence against nurses is 22 incidents per 1,000 nurses. When an occupational health professional analyzes an exposure, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment policies are drafted to ensure the future safety of employees. This literature review identifies best practice controls used to protect health care workers from violence in the workplace. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.