6 Behaviors That Indicate Heightened Agitation and Risk of Violence

How can organizations get ahead of escalating workplace violence threats?

Healthcare workers are often at risk of physical or verbal assault from patients, many of whom are stressed and agitated due to ill health or fear. The Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC) is a tool many inpatient healthcare facilities, including behavioral and mental health facilities, use to predict the potential for violence in a 24-hour period, and when used consistently, it has produced notable results.

The checklist scores patients on a consistent basis throughout their stay—ideally in the day, evening, and night—and scores are adjusted based on a known patient’s baseline behavior (if a patient is normally confused, for example, that behavior would not be counted). The BVC enables healthcare staff to stay informed across shifts, take more proactive action, and head off potential violent behavior before it escalates.

The presence of any of six key behaviors scores a point on the BVC. A score of 1-2 points would note a moderate risk of violence and should trigger preventative measures. A score of more than 2 points indicates that the risk of violence is very high, and the healthcare institution should take preventative measures and set a plan to manage potential violence.

Claire Meyer is editor-in-chief of Security Management. Connect with her on LinkedIn or email her directly at [email protected].