ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Strategies for controlling violence against health care workers: Application of fuzzy analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy additive ratio assessment
Fazel Rajabi,
Mehdi Jahangiri PhD,
Farnaz Bagherifard,
Sean Banaee PhD,
Payam Farhadi PhD,
Fazel Rajabi
PhD student of occupational health engineering
School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Mehdi Jahangiri PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Occupational Health, Research Center for Health Science, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Correspondence
Mehdi Jahangiri, Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, PO Box: 71645-111, Shiraz, Iran.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorFarnaz Bagherifard
MSc of occupational health engineering
Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorSean Banaee PhD
Assistant Professor
College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorPayam Farhadi PhD
Assistant Professor
Faculty Member of Zand Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorFazel Rajabi,
Mehdi Jahangiri PhD,
Farnaz Bagherifard,
Sean Banaee PhD,
Payam Farhadi PhD,
Fazel Rajabi
PhD student of occupational health engineering
School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Mehdi Jahangiri PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Occupational Health, Research Center for Health Science, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Correspondence
Mehdi Jahangiri, Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, PO Box: 71645-111, Shiraz, Iran.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorFarnaz Bagherifard
MSc of occupational health engineering
Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorSean Banaee PhD
Assistant Professor
College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorPayam Farhadi PhD
Assistant Professor
Faculty Member of Zand Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Objective
The present study aimed to identify and prioritize control measures of violence against health care workers (HWs) using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) and fuzzy additive ratio assessment (ARAS-F).
Background
Occupational violence is a pervasive problem in health care centres. Reducing violence against staff is one of the challenges for health care managers.
Method
At the first stage, the most common criteria and control options for violence against HWs were identified and extracted using a review of previous studies. At the next stage, criteria for selection of control measures were prioritized using the FAHP. Finally, control measures of workplace violence were prioritized using the ARAS-F method.
Results
Results of the FAHP indicated that safety and efficiency were the most important criteria. Results of the ARAS-F also revealed that ‘increasing number of security personnel’ and ‘training staff’ were the best recommendations for controlling violence against HWs.
Conclusion
Based on expert's opinions, administrative measures are the optimal ways to control violence at health centres; therefore, it is suggested that violence control programmes should be more focused on administrative measures.
Implications for Nursing Management
These results could assist nursing management to take best strategies for controlling occupational violence based on multi-criteria decision-making methods.
REFERENCES
- Aggarwal, R., & Singh, S. (2013). AHP and extent fuzzy AHP approach for prioritization of performance measurement attributes. Paper presented at the Proceedings of World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology.
- Arnetz, J. E., Hamblin, L., Russell, J., Upfal, M. J., Luborsky, M., Janisse, J., & Essenmacher, L. (2017). Preventing patient-to-worker violence in hospitals: Outcome of a randomized controlled intervention. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 59(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000000909
- Barish, R. C. (2001). Legislation and regulations addressing workplace violence in the United States and British Columbia. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 20(2), 149–154.
- Berry, C., McNeely, A., Beauregard, K., & Lagoe, W. (2013). Workplace Violence Prevention Guidelines and Program for Health Care, Long Term Care and Social Services Workers. N.C. Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Program.
- BLS. (2017). National census of fatal occupational injuries in 2017. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf
- Cancela, J., Fico, G., & Waldmeyer, M. T. A. (2015). Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to understand the most important factors to design and evaluate a telehealth system for Parkinson's disease. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 15(3), S7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6947-15-s3-s7
- CDC. (2006). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workplace violence prevention strategies and research needs. Paper presented at the Conference Partnering in Workplace Violence Prevention Translating Research to Practice.
- Cezar, E. S., & Marziale, M. H. P. (2006). Occupational violence problems in an emergency hospital in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Cadernos De Saúde Pública, 22(1), 217–221. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2006000100024
- Chang, D.-Y. (1996). Applications of the extent analysis method on fuzzy AHP. European Journal of Operational Research, 95(3), 649–655. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-2217(95)00300-2
- Cheraghi, M. A., Javanmardi, S., Zolfaghari, M., Bahrani, N., Akbari, A., & Javanmardi, Z. (2014). Predisposing factors of violence against nurse in emergency department from nurses', Patients', and accompanies’ perspective. Medycyna pracy.
- Deans, C. (2004). Nurses and occupational violence: The role of organisational support in moderating professional competence. The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 22(2), 14.
- Dehnadi-Moghaddam, A., Asgharzadeh, A., Hosseini, S. J., Kouchakinejad-Eramsadati, L., & Kazemnejad-Leili, E., Baghernia Hemmati, N. (2013). Frequency and characteristics of violence against nurses of emergency. Health and Care, 14 (in Persian), 62–68.
- Fernandes, C. M., Raboud, J. M., Christenson, J. M., Bouthillette, F., Bullock, L., Ouellet, L., & Moore, C. C. F. (2002). The effect of an education program on violence in the emergency department. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 39(1), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1067/mem.2002.121202
- Flannery, R. B. Jr., Hanson, M. A., Penk, W. E., Goldfinger, S., Pastva, G. J., & Navon, M. A. (1998). Replicated declines in assault rates after implementation of the Assaulted Staff Action Program. Psychiatric Services, 49(2), 241–243. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.49.2.241
- Gacki-Smith, J., Juarez, A. M., Boyett, L., Homeyer, C., Robinson, L., & MacLean, S. L. (2009). Violence against nurses working in US emergency departments. Journal of Nursing Administration, 39(7/8), 340–349. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0b013e3181ae97db
- Gallant-Roman, M. A. (2008). Strategies and tools to reduce workplace violence. AAOHN Journal, 56(11), 449–454. https://doi.org/10.1177/216507990805601102
- Garfi, M., Tondelli, S., & Bonoli, A. (2009). Multi-criteria decision analysis for waste management in Saharawi refugee camps. Waste Management, 29(10), 2729–2739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2009.05.019
- Gates, D., Gillespie, G., Smith, C., Rode, J., Kowalenko, T., & Smith, B. (2011). Using action research to plan a violence prevention program for emergency departments. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 37(1), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2009.09.013
- Gates, D. M., Ross, C. S., & McQueen, L. (2006). Violence against emergency department workers. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 31(3), 331–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2005.12.028
- Gillespie, G. L., Gates, D. M., Miller, M., & Howard, P. K. (2010). Workplace violence in healthcare settings: Risk factors and protective strategies. Rehabilitation Nursing, 35(5), 177–184. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2048-7940.2010.tb00045.x
- Havaei, F., Macphee, M., & Lee, S. E. (2019). The effect of violence prevention strategies on perceptions of workplace safety: A study of medical-surgical and mental health nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(8), 1657–1666.
- Henry, J., & Ginn, G. O. (2002). Violence prevention in healthcare organizations within a total quality management framework. Journal of Nursing Administration, 32(9), 479–486. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005110-200209000-00010
- Hills, D. J., Ross, H. M., Pich, J., Hill, A. T., Dalsbø, T. K., & Riahi, S., … Martínez-Jarreta, B. (2015). Education and training for preventing and minimising workplace aggression directed toward healthcare workers. Cohrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(9), 1–18.
- Hsu, J. C., Hsieh, C.-Y., Yang, Y.-H.-K., & Lu, C. Y. (2015). Net clinical benefit of oral anticoagulants: A multiple criteria decision analysis. PLoS ONE, 10(4), e0124806. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0124806
- Hunter, M. E., & Love, C. C. (1996). Total quality management and the reduction of inpatient violence and costs in a forensic psychiatric hospital. Psychiatric Services, 47(7), 751–754.
- Ishak, M., & Christensen, M. (2002). Achieving a better management for patients' aggressive behaviour: Evaluation of a training program. Journal of Occupational Health and Safety Australia and New Zealand, 18(3), 231–238.
- Ishaqi, M., Golmohammadi, R., & Khorram, M. R. (2012). Prioritization of noise control methods in Hamedan Shine Co using the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). Occupational Health and Safety, 2(1), 75–84.
- Keršulienė, V., & Turskis, Z. (2011). Integrated fuzzy multiple criteria decision making model for architect selection. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 17(4), 645–666.
- Keršulienė, V., & Turskis, Z. (2014). An integrated multi-criteria group decision making process: Selection of the chief accountant. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 110, 897–904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.12.935
10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.12.935 Google Scholar
- Kraus, J. F., Blander, B., & McArthur, D. L. (1995). Incidence, risk factors and prevention strategies for work-related assault injuries: A review of what is known, what needs to be known, and countermeasures for intervention. Annual Review of Public Health, 16(1), 355–379. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pu.16.050195.002035
- Lanctôt, N., & Guay, S. (2014). The aftermath of workplace violence among healthcare workers: A systematic literature review of the consequences. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19(5), 492–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2014.07.010
- Lanza, M. L., Zeiss, R. A., & Rierdan, J. (2006). Non-physical violence: A risk factor for physical violence in health care settings. AAOHN Journal, 54(9), 397–402. https://doi.org/10.1177/216507990605400903
- Lin, Y.-H., & Liu, H.-E. (2005). The impact of workplace violence on nurses in South Taiwan. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 42(7), 773–778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2004.11.010
- Mamdani, E. H. (1974). Application of fuzzy algorithms for control of simple dynamic plant. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the institution of electrical engineers.
10.1049/piee.1974.0328 Google Scholar
- Mazurek, J. (2017). On inconsistency indices and inconsistency axioms in pairwise comparisons. arXiv preprint arXiv:1703.05204.
- Moeini, Z., Fallahi, K., Hossaini, M., & Dalvandi, A. (2017). Nurse's knowledge, attitude and practice toward workplace violence in hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Health Promotion Management (in Persian).
- Molaei Far, H., Rajabi, F., Zamanian, Z., Honarbakhsh, M., Ebrahimi, A., & Farhadi, P. (2018). Identifying and ranking the strategies of control exposure to heat stress in the rubber industry using a Delphi method and combination of Fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS approach. Iran Occupational Health Journal, 15(4), 21–33.
- Moraveji, M., Soleymannejad, N., & Bazargan, M. (2012). Workplace violence against nurses working in hospitals of Zanjan province. Iranian Journal of Health & Care, 12(3), 10–19.
- Morphet, J., Griffiths, D., Beattie, J., Reyes, D. V., & Innes, K. (2018). Prevention and management of occupational violence and aggression in healthcare: A scoping review. Collegian, 25(6), 621–632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2018.04.003
- Morrison, E. F., & Love, C. C. (2003). An evaluation of four programs for the management of aggression in psychiatric settings. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 17(4), 146–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9417(03)00085-2
- Mozafari, M., & Tavan, H. (2013). Survey of violence against nursing in the Ilam training hospitals at 2012. Scientific Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences (Persian), 21(2), 152–160.
- Mühlbacher, A., Juhnke, C., & Kaczynski, A. (2016). Patients' priorities in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours: An analytical hierarchy process. Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband Der Arzte Des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany)), 78(10), 651–657.
- Nikathil, S., Olaussen, A., Gocentas, R. A., Symons, E., & Mitra, B. (2017). Workplace violence in the emergency department: A systematic review and meta analysis. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 29(3), 265–275. https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.12761
- O’Connell, B., Young, J., Brooks, J., Hutchings, J., & Lofthouse, J. (2000). Nurses’ perceptions of the nature and frequency of aggression in general ward settings and high dependency areas. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9(4), 602–610. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2702.2000.00401.x
- Olivieri, A., Marchetti, M., Lemoli, R., Tarella, C., Iacone, A., Lanza, F., … Bosi, A. (2012). Proposed definition of ‘poor mobilizer’in lymphoma and multiple myeloma: An analytic hierarchy process by ad hoc working group Gruppo ItalianoTrapianto di Midollo Osseo. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 47(3), 342. https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2011.82
- OSHA. (2015). Occupational Safety and Health administration. Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care & Social. Retrieved from www.osha.gov.
- Rafati Rahimzadeh, M., Zabihi, A., & Hosseini, S. (2011). Verbal and physical violence on nurses in hospitals of Babol University of Medical Sciences. Journal of Hayat, 17(2), 5–11.
- Rajabi, F., Jahangiri, M., Molaeifar, H., Honarbakhsh, M., & Farhadi, P. (2018). Occupational stress among nurses and pre-hospital emergency staff: Application of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) method. EXCLI Journal, 17, 808.
- Rokhsari, S., & Sadeghi-Niaraki, A. (2015). Urban network risk assessment using Fuzzy-AHP and TOPSIS in GIS environment. Iranian Journal of Operations Research, 6(2), 73–86.
- Runyan, C. W. (2001). Moving forward with research on the prevention of violence against workers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 20(2), 169–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(00)00294-4
- Runyan, C. W., Zakocs, R. C., & Zwerling, C. (2000). Administrative and behavioral interventions for workplace violence prevention. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 18(4), 116–127.
- Sekhavati, E., Zadeh, M. M., Fam, E. M., & Zarandi, A. F. (2014). Prioritizing methods of control and reduce noise pollution in Larestan cement Factory using analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Toloo-e-behdasht, 13(2), 156–167.
- Soheili, A., Mohammadpour, Y., Jafarizadeh, H., Habibzadeh, H., & Mehryar, H. (2014). Violence against nurses in emergency departments of Urmia university hospitals in 2013. Journal of Urmia Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, 12(9), 874–882.
- Spelten, E., Thomas, B., O'Meara, P. F., Maguire, B. J., FitzGerald, D., & Begg, S. J. (2017). Organisational interventions for preventing and minimising aggression directed toward healthcare workers by patients and patient advocates. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5) https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012662
- Stirling, G., Higgins, J. E., & Cooke, M. W. (2001). Violence in A&E departments: A systematic review of the literature. Accident and Emergency Nursing, 9(2), 77–85.
- Talas, M. S., Kocaöz, S., & Akgüç, S. (2011). A survey of violence against staff working in the emergency department in Ankara, Turkey. Asian Nursing Research, 5(4), 197–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2011.11.001
- Turskis, Z., Lazauskas, M., & Zavadskas, E. K. (2012). Fuzzy multiple criteria assessment of construction site alternatives for non-hazardous waste incineration plant in Vilnius city, applying ARAS-F and AHP methods. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, 20(2), 110–120. https://doi.org/10.3846/16486897.2011.645827
- Turskis, Z., & Zavadskas, E. K. (2010). A new fuzzy additive ratio assessment method (ARAS-F). Case study: The analysis of fuzzy multiple criteria in order to select the logistic centers location. Transport, 25(4), 423–432.
- Vladutiu, C. J., Casteel, C., Nocera, M., Harrison, R., & Peek-Asa, C. (2016). Characteristics of workplace violence prevention training and violent events among home health and hospice care providers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 59(1), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22543
- Wassell, J. T. (2009). Workplace violence intervention effectiveness: A systematic literature review. Safety Science, 47(8), 1049–1055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2008.12.001
- Zamanzadeh, V., & Abdollahzadeh, F. (2007). Nature of violence toward nurses working in hospitals. Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, 29(2), 61–66.
