Recent violent incidents at Hvidovre Hospital have highlighted the pervasive issue of violence against nurses, prompting calls for comprehensive solutions beyond just harsher penalties. The Danish Nurses’ Organization reports that almost one in four nurses employed in the regions and 16 percent of municipally employed nurses experience violence or threats.

While Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard’s proposal for stricter punishments is welcomed, preventive measures are crucial for ensuring nurses’ safety.

Bispebjerg Hospital’s Joint Intermediate Unit offers a successful model for violence prevention. Following violent episodes and subsequent intervention from the Danish Working Environment Authority, the unit implemented targeted training in risk assessment and conflict de-escalation. This initiative dramatically improved the working environment, shifting from a state of regulatory orders to one where employees feel safe. The key is equipping staff with the skills to screen patients for potential aggression and conduct thorough risk assessments.

The Bispebjerg model utilizes a “violence ABC” tool to evaluate risk levels (low, moderate, or high) based on answers to questions about the patient. Depending on the risk assessment, measures such as increased surveillance or security presence are implemented, along with a plan for de-escalating potential conflicts. The goal is to make handling risky situations as routine as managing a patient with cardiac arrest. Clear safety protocols, like instructions for checking assault alarms, further reinforce the importance of nurse safety.

The Danish Nurses’ Organization is advocating for a national action plan to standardize safety measures across all healthcare facilities. This plan should include:

• Professionally sound staffing levels.
• Competence development for employees in risk assessment and response.
• Enhanced safety measures, such as assault alarms and escape route instructions.

The organization urges the Danish Parliament’s Health Committee to convene experts and healthcare stakeholders to expedite the development and implementation of this action plan.