ER staff Violence / verbal abuse what are we doing about it?

I have been a nurse in the ER for sometime...well 12 years really and I can't get over how volitle people are toward nursing staff and other staff. Is there anyone out there that is having the same trouble and if so please let me know what you are doing to increase or should I say decrease this situation in your ER's. I don't think admin realizes how many times on a daily basis we are yelled at, cussed out, swung at, or basically degraded.

I understand the concepts of customer service all to well,
and I am a nice person, but I have never seen this kind of behavior tolerated like we tolerate it now. I sometimes compare use to waitresses at a restaurant (I was one when I worked my way through school) I was never so disrespected then as I am on a daily basis now. So if anyone has some insight or some things that are working in your facilities please pass it along.

I have been watching the ENA closely to see what their statement on healthcare provider violence is going to propose employers to implement, it will be very interestiing to see what and how things will change in the future.

I keep saying to myself in the back of my head these words I recently heard in a movie..."It's nice to be important, but important to be nice" but believe me after 12-13 hours of disrespect it only carries you so long....

Would love to hear from anyone with ideas.....