Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare

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Hope Cunningham
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1 Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare Jill Dangler, RN 2014 CSEA Health & Safety Conference Jonathan Rosen, MS CIH AJ Rosen & Associates LLC 1

2 Workshop Overview Definitions? Do you know the law and regulations? Does your agency make the grade? What are the risk factors and solutions? What if it is deficient? 2

3 Definition of the problem: Any physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse that occurs in the work setting. 3

6 Regulation effective April 29, 2009 All public employers must

4 Laws - New York State Public Employer Workplace Violence Prevention (WVP) Programs 12 NYCRR Part Regulation effective April 29, 2009 All public employers must develop comprehensive, risk-based WVP program Union and employee input and collaboration mandated. 4

5 NYS Workplace Violence Regulations 12 NYCRR Part WPV is evaluated by public employers and employees Design and implement protective programs Incident reporting and recordkeeping List of risk factors ALL types of WPV Risk-reduction measures Union reps and employees included Annual (and ongoing) Requirements 5

6 Definition of Workplace Violence 12 NYCRR Part subpart (a) Any physical assault or acts of aggressive behavior occurring where a public employee performs any workrelated duty in the course of his/her employment, including but not limited to: 1. An attempt or threat, whether verbal or physical, to inflict physical injury 2. Any intentional display of force which would give an employee reason to fear or expect bodily harm 3. Intentional and wrongful physical contact with a person without his or her consent that entails some injury 4. Stalking

7 Categorization of Workplace Violence Events Type I: Violence by Strangers Type II: Violence by Customers or Clients Type III: Violence by Co-workers Type IV: Violence by Personal Relations What type are you concerned with? 7

Healthcare Workers at High Risk for Assault Related Injuries Incidence Rates for Nonfatal Assaults and Violent Acts by Industry, 25 2000, Incidence rate per 10,000 full-time workers Private Sector

8 Healthcare Workers at High Risk for Assault Related Injuries Incidence Rates for Nonfatal Assaults and Violent Acts by Industry, , Incidence rate per 10,000 full-time workers Private Sector Overall Health Services Overall Social Service Workers Nursing and Personal Care Facility Workers Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2001) Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, 2000; Occupational Health Safety and Health Administration: Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care and Social Service Workers,

9 The Silent Epidemic 58% of harassed employees do not report incidents Fewer than half of workers report assault to the police Only 25% of rapes at work are reported Source: National Crime Victimization Survey 9

10 Causes of Under Reporting of Workplace Assaults Part of the job syndrome Consequence of living in a violent society Fear of blame or reprisal Lack of management/ peer support No serious injuries Not worth the effort 10

11 Violence Prevention Programs Core Elements Management Commitment and Employee Involvement Worksite Risk Evaluation & Determination Hazard Prevention and Control Safety and Health Training Recordkeeping and Program Evaluation 11

12 Mandated Union Involvement Ensure that the risk of workplace assaults and homicides is evaluated by affected public employers and their employees Evaluation of the physical environment Review of WPV incident reports, at least annually Development of the WPV Program 12

13 Other Issues Is it a Paper Program? Retaliation Support for Victims Working with criminal justice authorities Other??

14 Joint Commission Standards Managing Disruptive Behavior, 2009 Sentinel Event Alert: Preventing violence in the health care setting 2010 What is the relationship between patient and staff safety?

15 Before Filing a PESH Complaint Any Employee or Representative who believes a violation exists must: Bring the matter to the attention of the employer or supervisor In writing Afford the employer a reasonable amount of time to correct the matter 15

16 Keys to a Successful PESH Inspection Work with LRS and Local President Involve H&S Dept., as needed Try to coordinate with sister unions Document, Document, Document Work with the PESH Inspector 16

17 Elenita Congco, RN, assaulted 1/31/11 17

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION. Health Care and Social Service Workers

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION. Health Care and Social Service Workers WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION Health Care and Social Service Workers DEFINITION Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting A workplace