The toolkit contains:
- A Violence Assessment Tool to be completed by healthcare providers or managers / supervisors which includes risk indicators, a risk rating scale and a list of potential triggers
- A list of suggested control interventions
- A sample policy.
The Violence Assessment Tool (VAT) provides a snapshot of a client’s immediate risk of violence by identifying behaviours associated with increased risk. With this insight, healthcare teams can efficiently assess the degree of risk, apply control interventions if needed, and improve worker safety while helping to increase quality of care. Following extensive stakeholder consultation, the VAT was adapted from the Broset Violence Checklist and the Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression instrument for use in multiple care settings.
The VAT is for use in Acute Care, Long-Term Care, Community Care, and Emergency Services (EMS).
The VAT should be completed at first contact with the client, and according to your organization’s policies and procedures — e.g. in acute care this might be once every shift; in long-term care or home care it might be between prescribed Ministry documentation such as RAI-MDS or RAI-HC.
Depending on the client’s individual circumstances, further assessment may be required.
Access the Individual Client Risk Assessment toolkit below:
Individual Client Risk Assessment Toolkit Resource Manual
Violence Assessment Tool: Online Interactive version
Violence Assessment Tool Online User Guide
Assessments are also available as a fillable word document:
Additional ICRA tool resources: