Healthcare Workplace Violence Presentation PDF

Addressing Violence at Work in the Healthcare Industry Healthcare Workplace Violence: An Increasing Epidemic Marsilda Xhemali Mohawk College, 10400 Nursing Communication December 1, 2024  Workplace Violence: Definition & Scope - Workpl...

Addressing Violence at Work in the Healthcare Industry Healthcare Workplace Violence: An Increasing Epidemic Marsilda Xhemali Mohawk College, 10400 Nursing Communication December 1, 2024  Workplace Violence: Definition & Scope - Workplace violence includes any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, or disruptive behavior. - 2010: Over 11,000 assaults in healthcare (BLS)—a 13% increase from 2009. - Many incidents remain unreported, leaving workers vulnerable.  Prevalence of Workplace Violence - Nearly 1 in 4 nurses experience physical violence (WHO, 2018). - Verbal abuse is even more widespread. - Common in psychiatric facilities, emergency rooms, and nursing homes.  Causes of Workplace Violence - Patient factors: Substance abuse, mental health crises, physical pain (Phillips, 2016). - Systemic issues: Staff shortages, long hours, and lack of preventive measures (The Joint Commission, 2018).  The Need for Legal Safeguards - Many states lack laws specifically protecting healthcare workers. - Assaults on healthcare workers treated the same as in other workplaces (OSHA, 2021).  Solutions: Legal Measures - Zero-tolerance policies: Include all workers, patients, and visitors. - Mandatory reporting of incidents to foster transparency and accountability.  Solutions: Employee Training - Training reduces incidents by 30% (2018 study). - Programs include: Conflict resolution strategies. Self-defense methods. Scenario-based simulations.  Building a Safety Culture - Invest in safety measures: Alarms, cameras, trained security staff (OSHA, 2021). - Ensure leaders are accountable for: Supporting victims. Swift action against offenders.  Conclusion - Workplace violence is a growing epidemic in healthcare. - Solutions require organizational commitment, legal reforms, and comprehensive training. - Together, we can create safer workplaces for healthcare staff and patients.  References 1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2021. Health and Human Services Employees: A Guide to Preventing Workplace Violence. 2. Phillips, J.P. (2016). Journal of New England Medicine. 3. The Joint Commission (2018). Resources to stop workplace violence. 4. World Health Organization (2018). A worldwide review of harassment and violence in the health field.