SUMMARY
The research of Della J. Derscheid, Ph.D., R.N., focuses on the variables associated with violent, patient-related workplace events in the inpatient medical setting. Dr. Derscheid aims to provide a safer working environment for health care providers by establishing a structure that addresses patient needs, protects front-line staff and safeguards employees after violent events. Dr. Derscheid has been heavily involved in the development of the Violent Patient Handling Program at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota.
Focus areas
- Violence in the inpatient medical setting
- Mental health
- Measurement tool reliability and validity
Significance to patient care
Health care settings are a primary location for exposure to workplace violence. An important clinical issue for health care workers in both mental health and medical settings is to understand how to manage patient violence. Violence inflicted by patients toward health care workers may cause visible physical or psychological injuries, leading to possible job dissatisfaction, withdrawal from patients, impaired relationships with patients, decreased quality of care and productivity, absenteeism, sick leave, and job changes. Dr. Derscheid's research seeks to recognize the contributors to violent situations and take steps to mitigate them.
Professional highlights
- Invited speaker, Oud Consultancy, Fourth International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector, 2014
- Recipient, King Hussein Scholarship, Division of Nursing Research, Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, 2007-2012
- Chapter author, American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year, Medical-Surgical Nursing category, 2008
- Janssen Scholar, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2007
- Member, Joint Commission Best Practice, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, Seclusion and Restraint Documentation Form and Process, 2004