Horizontal Violence

Abstract Horizontal violence is a negative phenomenon that is increasing significantly in the hospital setting. It is defined as bullying, verbal and physical aggression that occurs to employees in the workforce. Horizontal violence has harmful effects on nurses as it lowers their self- esteem, and makes them feel as if they have no power in their career. This phenomenon also negatively impacts patient centered care and safety as nurses are more vulnerable to making medication errors and careless mistakes. Horizontal violence can be decreased in the hospital setting if interventions are implemented by members of the health care team. Education is key to decrease the occurrence of horizontal violence as it enables health care workers to actively recognize when horizontal violence is taking place, and how to prevent it from occurring. Collaboration with the interdisciplinary team will promote a better working environment and patient safety. Lastly, nurses need to be aware of effective communication so they know how to successfully converse with the aggressor. If nurses and other health care members are able to implement these interventions, horizontal violence will dramatically decrease in the hospital setting.

Horizontal Violence in the Hospital Setting
Horizontal violence is of marked prevalence that is occurring in the workforce. Baltimore (2006) defined horizontal violence as variable degrees of antagonism: gossiping, criticism, innuendo, scapegoating, undermining, intimidation, passive aggression, withholding information, insubordination, bullying, and verbal and physical aggression that occur to employees in the workforce (p. 30). This phenomenon is extremely detrimental to mental health nurses as it adds unnecessary stress to their careers. It has been found that mental health nurses experience more stress in their careers than other nurses, and many of these stressors could contribute to burnout if interventions are not implemented