Disruptive Patient Behavior: Mitigation and Management Strategies

Disruptive patient behavior, particularly violence, is a growing problem that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Difficult or violent patients pose an obvious risk to physician and staff well-being. They also can undermine their own health by impacting the medical decision-making process, and they may be more likely to pursue malpractice lawsuits. The case studies in this month’s publication are based on closed professional liability claims and Risk Management Department calls from insureds. These scenarios provide the basis for risk reduction strategies that can be used to identify catalysts to patient agitation and violence, de-escalate disruptive behavior, and appropriately follow up difficult patient encounters. Ideally, these strategies will mitigate or prevent incidents, so no one gets hurt and patients receive the healthcare they need and reasonably expect.