* EC:Code Black and Blue: Why patients turn violent and how to recognize it before it happens[®] [REF: RN, SFT, StEd] EC News, January 2015, Vol 18, #7, Pg 1 JCe1501_B07

Knowing those situations in which the risk of patient:staff violence is highest can help staff avoid and prevent injuries. This article reports a study that determined three main themes in the circumstances that involved such incidents. They were:

• Patient Behavior: related to cognitive impairment and/or the desire to leave
• Patient Care: related to administration of any treatment that might cause pain or discomfort
• Situational Events: related to events such as physical interventions (e.g., restraint, bed transfers), moving and/or redirecting a patient

Tip: Evaluate past patient:staff incidents to determine the highest risk circumstances for your facility; increase staff awareness of this and provide periodic tips and training for avoidance, prevention and safe management.