Aggression in healthcare is becoming increasingly common and is a daily reality for many employees. Brenda, who works in the emergency department of the Jeroen Bosch Hospital, knows all about this. “Swearing, threatening, cursing, ranting and sometimes physical violence”, it all happens, according to Brenda.
Recently Brenda had a patient who became aggressive. “She immediately demanded acute care, but I didn’t even know what exactly was going on,” she says. When the nurse tried to ask questions, she was not appreciated. “I was yelled at and tried to de-escalate the situation as we learned, but that didn’t work.”
The patient took out her phone and started videotaping Brenda trying to do her work. “I was scared at that moment because this person was standing next to me so menacingly.” She also found it very annoying that recordings were made of her at work. When the patient threatened to bring her family in, the nurse became even more afraid.
Ultimately, security had to intervene and the police were called. Nowadays, security is even permanently present at the emergency department in Den Bosch to deal with these types of situations.
Aggression increases
Brenda is not alone. Aggression against healthcare staff is increasing, according to figures from the Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital in Tilburg. In 2023 there were 438 reports there. The following year there were 430, and last year there was a significant increase with 561 reports. This year too, the hospital has already seen an increase in the number of reports of aggression.
According to the Acute Care Brabant Network, this development is also visible at other hospitals in the province.
With the campaign ‘No care in the event of aggression’, the Jeroen Bosch Hospital is trying to make it clear that aggression is not tolerated and has consequences for patients and visitors.
Measures necessary
Healthcare organizations are now taking measures. For example, employees are trained to identify and prevent aggression earlier. There are also agreements about reporting the crime and attention is paid to reception and aftercare.
Still, it hits home, says Brenda. “It has sometimes crossed my mind: why am I doing this? Why don’t I look for other work where I might not end up in these situations?” Yet she stays. “If you have a few nice services afterwards, then that will be more important.”
