Prevention of Adolescent Violence During Emergency Department Visits.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Publication Title

Journal of Forensic Nursing

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescent violence in emergency departments (EDs) is a serious problem.

AIM: To examine outcomes of a violence reduction intervention among adolescents seen in EDs.

METHODS: Aggressive Behavior Risk Assessment Tool for Emergency Departments was used to identify patients at high risk. Following a baseline period, a Phase 1 intervention of signage posting and a Phase 2 intervention of additional behavioral emergency response team huddles were implemented. A subset analysis of adolescents aged 10-18 years was performed.

RESULTS: Among 8,658 adolescents, 156 had ≥1 violent event (1.80%). The violence rate during Phase 1 showed a 34% reduction compared with the baseline (p=0.035); no significant reduction was observed in Phase 2 compared with Phase 1.

CONCLUSION: Signage posting appears to be an effective strategy contributing to reducing violent events among adolescents visiting EDs. The use of a validated screening tool to identify high-risk adolescents facilitated targeted preventive intervention efforts.

Comments

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

DOI

10.1097/JFN.0000000000000580

ISSN

1939-3938

PubMed ID

41186392

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