Research Forum Abstracts

428

Evaluation of the Use of the TASER and Elevated
Force to Control Workplace Violence in a Health
Care Environment

Norton RL, Granger G/Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR

Study Objectives: Violent behavior by patients is one of many occupational
hazards faced by health care workers. ED personnel are at high risk for patients
carrying weapons, with disruptive behavior or psychotic disorders. When systematic
approaches to violent persons do not work, public safety officers (PSO) require
additional means of elevated force to control dangerous behavior. The use of the
electrical stun gun (TASER) offers an option that is more effective than baton but less
lethal than a firearm. Its use has recently been criticized because of the association
with deaths in custody.
Methods: We describe an approach to control workplace violence in a health care
environment that includes staff education for early identification of potentially violent
persons and initial approaches but allows for the use of TASER in select situations.
We report the incidents of use of force in a Level 1 trauma center university hospital

Volume , .  : September 

with 40,000 ED census before and after the intiation of a program that permits the
use of TASER.
Results: There were 107 PRE (12 month) and 149 POST (24 month) uses of
force. During the POST, 92% were in clinical, 5 % in general public and 3% in
exterior areas. Most involved patients (93%). In clinical areas, 56% were in the
ED, 25 % inpatient and 11% outpatient areas. There were 30 displays and 7
additional uses of the TASER, including 2 touches and 5 firings of probes, 77%
for male subjects and 70% for psychiatric or ED patients. All displays or uses
were reviewed in detail by multidisciplinary group and determined to be
appropriate. There were no serious injuries in either safety personnel or patients
that resulted from the use of the TASER. PSOs determined that the display of
the TASER was able to de-escalate violent situations without the use of more
elevated force.
Conclusion: A comprehensive approach to workplace violence that allows for the
selected use of the TASER and requires mandatory reviews of all uses can be
effectively implemented to help to control dangerous situations in heath care
environments.

Annals of Emergency Medicine S135