Staff and work environment factors associated with workplace violence in hospitals: Comparison of units with high versus low rates of violence

Abstract Objective This study examined healthcare worker perceptions of physical environment and safety climate contributors to workplace violence. Methods Inpatient hospital employee (2015) convenience sample survey (N = 327) comparisons were via Mann Whitney, Wilcoxon Rank Sum, or Chi-square to determine response differences by workplace violence experience (yes/no), and hospital units (higher/lower) violence rates. Results Employees with workplace violence experience and units with higher violence rates identified a higher number of contributing physical environment factors. Safety climate ratings were higher among employees without workplace violence experience but did not differ between hospital units with higher versus lower violence rates. Conclusions Prioritization of staff perceived climate safety and physical environment contributors can support organizational efforts to mitigate specific workplace violence hazards on hospital units.