Violence against healthcare professionals in intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis of frequency, risk factors, interventions, and preventive measures
Authors' conclusion
Workplace violence is frequent and underreported in intensive care units, with potential serious consequences for healthcare workers, calling for heightened awareness, screening, and preventive measures.
Study context
- Population
- Healthcare workers in adult ICUs
- Participants
- 139,533 workers · 75 studies · 32 countries
- Outcome
- Frequency of violence against healthcare workers
Methodological detailsOverall level of evidence low
- Overall level of evidence low
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Frequency of violence
- Overall median frequency of violence (IQR 37-75%)
- 51%
- Physical violence, pooled average frequency
- 31% (95% CI 22-41%)
- Verbal violence, pooled average frequency
- 57% (95% CI 48-66%)
- Sexual violence, pooled average frequency
- 12% (95% CI 4-23%)
- Verbal violence experienced by up to
- 97%
- Physical violence victims up to
- 82%
Further pooled results
Perpetrators
- Patients, median
- 56%
- Visitors, median
- 22%
Risk in ICU vs other healthcare workers
- 22 studies reported increased RR of up to
- 2.3
- OR of up to
- 22.9
Risk factors
- Young age, less work experience and being a nurse; violent patients often male, older and physically impaired by drugs
Underreporting and consequences
- Violence underreported in up to
- 80%
- Associated with higher burnout, increased anxiety and higher turnover intentions
Original publication
Violence against healthcare professionals in intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis of frequency, risk factors, interventions, and preventive measures. Crit Care. Published 26 February 2024. doi:10.
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