Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings Violence in the

Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings

Violence in the Healthcare Workplace violence: ► Exposed to many safety and health hazards ► At high risk for experiencing violence in the workplace ► Hospital workers are assaulted at rates 4 times the average for other private-sector industries

Activities Related to Violence Activities: ► Meal times ► Visiting hours ► Patient transportation May occur when: ► Denied service ► Involuntary admission ► Limiting the patient

What is Workplace Violence? Examples: ► Threats, expressions of intent to cause harm ► Physical assaults ► Muggings

Case Reports Examples: ► An elderly patient verbally abused a nurse ► An agitated psychotic patient attacked a nurse ► A disturbed family member walked into the emergency department and fired a smallcaliber handgun

Who Is At Risk? Who? ► Anyone working in a healthcare setting ► Nurses and aides ► Emergency response personnel ► Safety officers ► Healthcare providers

Where May Violence Occur? Where? ► Psychiatric wards ► Emergency rooms ► Waiting rooms ► Geriatric units

The Effects of Violence Effects: ► Minor physical injuries ► Serious physical injuries ► Temporary and permanent physical disability ► Psychological trauma ► Death

Risk Factors for Violence

Risk Factors for Violence Risk factors: ► Working directly with volatile people ► Working when understaffed ► Transporting patients ► Long waits for service

More Risk Factors Risk factors: ► Overcrowded, uncomfortable waiting rooms ► Working alone ► Poor environmental design ► Inadequate security

And Yet More Risk Factors Risk factors: ► Drug and alcohol abuse ► Access to firearms ► Unrestricted movement of the public ► Poorly lit areas

►Section 3 Prevention Strategies

Prevention Strategies Prevention: ► Environmental design ► Administrative controls ► Behavior modification

Environmental Designs Environmental: ► Emergency signaling, alarms, and monitoring systems ► Security devices ► Cameras ► Provide security stations ► Design waiting areas ► Design public areas

Administrative Controls Administrative: ► Designing staffing patterns ► Developing a system for alerting security personnel when violence is threatened

Behavior Modifications Behavior: ► Recognizing and managing assaults ► Resolving conflicts ► Maintaining hazard awareness

The Consequences of Violence Consequences: ► Providing an environment that promotes open communication ► Develop written procedures for reporting and responding to violence ► Employers should offer and encourage counseling

►Section 4 Safety Tips for Healthcare Employees

Safety Tips for Healthcare Workers Safety tips: ► Watch for signs of violence ► Maintain behavior that helps defuse anger ► Stay alert ► Have an escape plan

Signals of Impending Violence Signals: ► Verbally expressed anger and frustration ► Body language ► Signs of drug or alcohol use ► Presence of a weapon

Behavior to Diffuse Anger Diffuse: ► Presenting a calm attitude ► Don't match the threats ► Don't give orders ► Acknowledge the person's feelings ► Avoid behavior that may be interpreted as aggressive

Alertness: ► Evaluate each situation for potential violence ► Don't isolate yourself ► Always keep an open path for exiting

Diffuse the Situation Quickly Diffuse: ► Remove yourself from the situation ► Call security for help ► Report any violent incidents to your management

Successful Prevention Strategies Prevention: ► Security screening system ► Violence reporting program ► System restricting movement of visitors

Summary: ► No universal strategy exists to prevent violence ► Risk factors vary from facility to facility ► Healthcare facilities should form multidisciplinary committees to identify risk factors ► All workers should be alert and cautious ► Workers should actively participate in safety training programs