Characteristics of International Staff Victims of Psychiatric Patient Assaults: Review of Published Findings, 2013–2017

Psychiatric patient assaults on staff are a worldwide occupational hazard for health care staff that results in human suffering and dollar cost expense. International research through 2012 documented the frequency of these assaults and a continuing high risk for nursing personnel. This present paper reviewed the international published literature on staff victims of patient assaults during the next five year period of 2013–2017. The findings indicate that assaults on staff remain a serious worldwide issue as it has been since the 1990s, even with new policy initiatives in place meant to reduce such violence. Nursing personnel continued to be at greater risk. The findings by continents and an updated methodological inquiry are presented.