Taking aim at workplace violence

The problem of workplace violence (WPV) affects all industries, and it’s especially a concern for healthcare. But there are resources available for facilities who need help dealing with this serious issue.

In October, The Joint Commission launched a digital resource center aimed at reducing WPV in healthcare settings. The Workplace Violence Prevention Resources site (www.jointcommission.org/workplace_violence.aspx) is an easy-to-use source of policies, procedures, guidelines, research, case studies, white papers, and toolkits. It gathers materials from professional associations, federal and state agencies, healthcare organizations, and The Joint Commission on topics such as:
•    Violent and criminal event preparedness and prevention
•    Active shooter situations
•    Workplace safety measures
•    Behavioral threat management
•    Emergency operations planning
•    Rudeness and bullying

The excessively high levels of verbal, written, and physical abuse leveled against patients and healthcare workers has been a long-standing problem. In 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that more than 70% of the 23,000 significant injuries resulting from assault at the workplace occurred in healthcare and social service settings. In 2014, a survey found that 76% of nurses have experienced verbal or physical abuse from patients and visitors. In 2015, data published by the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) Foundation discovered a 4% rise in hospital assaults, from 7.8 assaults per 100 beds in 2014 to 8.1.

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