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JAPNA Article: Evaluating the Impact of a Modified AVADE Program on Health Care Workers’ Confidence in Managing Patient Agitation - Sep-Oct 2025 (31.5)

In the United States, an estimated 75% of healthcare workers report experiencing workplace violence. These assaults are linked to increased staff turnover, job dissatisfaction, psychological trauma, and impaired ability to perform clinical duties. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program designed to enhance healthcare workers' knowledge and confidence in managing patient agitation and violence. The project utilized a single-group, pre- and post-test design to assess a modified AVADE (Awareness, Vigilance, Avoidance, Defense, and Escape) training program. Evaluation tools included the Confidence in Coping with Patient Aggression Instrument (CCPAI), a 30-day post-intervention follow-up survey, and a post-incident follow-up.

Authors:  Jessica Cappucci DNP, APRN, PMHNP; Lisa Gouldthorpe, MSN, RN 

Disclosures: The APNA planner and authors have no relevant financial relationships or off-label uses to disclose.

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this article, the participant will be able to:

1. Explain how workplace violence impacts healthcare workers safety and influences nurse retention.
2. Identify and analyze the multifaceted elements of a workplace violence prevention action plan.
3. Summarize the key features of educational interventions aimed at managing patient aggression and the strategies that reduce risks to healthcare workers within a workplace violence prevention program.

Keywords:  Workplace Violence, WPV, Violence, Assaults on Healthcare Workers, De-escalation, Workplace Violence Prevention Education Program, Managing Aggression and Violence, Nurse Retention

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.0 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: read the entire article, complete an evaluation, honor statement, and earn a passing score on the post-test before the expiration date. You will have 5 tries to correctly answer the questions on the posttest and a score of 80% is required to pass. Once you have passed and completed the evaluation and honor statement, your nursing continuing professional development certificate will be generated online and available for immediate printing. Credit cannot be earned unless all components of the program are completed.  

Release Date:  May 12, 2025
Access to this course will end:  October 31, 2027

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

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