Slide 1 Welcome to the Violence in the Workplace course. Unfortunately, hospital staff members are sometimes exposed to unsafe situations. In fact, Healthcare workers are four times more likely to be assaulted on the job than public sector employees. Your risk of injury may be small, but it can be even smaller if you understand the ideas in this learning module. To better help to protect yourself and others around you, it is essential for you to understand some of the basics about violence that can take place at work. This course will help you to protect yourself and others from violent situations that may occur while you are at work.
Slide 2 Course Title: Approximate Time to Complete: Intended Audience: Workplace Violence Approx. 15 minutes All network staff Technical Specifications: Windows X, Internet Explorer V6, Flash Player 9 Course Contains No Audio, PLEASE REVIEW NOTES TAB FOR MORE COURSE INFORMATION Date Revised: 11/1/2012 Contact Information Please forward any content questions or concerns to the Subject Matter Expert: Bryan Bednar, Director of Security (610) 402-8220 Please call the Help Desk at 402-8303 with any technical issues. This course should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate number listed on the screen. To review the navigational features of the course, click on the Navigation tab at the top of the screen.
Slide 3 In this module you will learn to: Recognize the signs that represent danger Identify how to take precautions to protect yourself and others Safety is everyone's job In this module you will learn to: Recognize the signs that represent danger and Identify how to take precautions to protect yourself and others Remember, safety is everyone s job. We can all work together to make our environment safer. If you feel you have already mastered the content described in the course objectives and would like to demonstrate your knowledge, you may click the Demonstrate Knowledge button and move directly to the course test. You must earn a score of at least 80% on the test to successfully pass this course. However, it is suggested that you review the content as it has been updated. To continue onto the course content, please select the next button located at the bottom of the screen.
Slide 4 Violence prevention programs help keep employees and clients safe These programs include: Policy statement Educational programs Reporting procedure Process for investigation Action plans Lehigh Valley Health Network is committed to protecting the safety of all staff, patients, and visitors. In an effort to keep all employees and clients safe, LVHN has implemented violence prevention programs. These include: a policy statement about threats, educational programs, a reporting procedure for threats and unacceptable behavior, and a process for investigation and action plans for actual incidents. This training course will provide you with an overview of LVHN s violence prevention strategies.
Slide 5 Danger To protect yourself and others: Know the signs Take precautions To protect yourself and others: Know the signs of a potentially violent issue Take precautions In this course, we will discuss both in further detail.
Slide 6 Violence can happen in any setting Each of the following could be sources of violence: Visitors or Guests Employees Patients We must be aware that violence can occur in any setting. Often, we can avoid injury by being aware of the signs that come before violence. Visitors or guests, employees, and patients can all be the source of violence.
Slide 7 Observing clients or visitors and knowing their past history can sometimes provide a key to those who are most likely to become violent. Click on each of the following tabs to learn which factors may predict possible violent behavior.
Slide 8 are used prior to employment at LVHN Background Checks Reduce violence Far less costly than one violent incident In addition to taking precautions when dealing with patients and visitors, it is important to know how to take precautions when dealing with staff members as well. Background checks are used to screen individuals prior to employment at LVHN. Background checks for past violent behavior can be helpful in preventing future violence in the workplace. This process may seem costly, but it is far less costly than the damage from one violent incident.
Slide 9 Many times warning signs are overlooked until it is too late. However, recognizing warning signs of potential violence is an effective way to reduce the potential of a violent act occurring. Click on the tabs on the left to learn more about each of these signs.
Slide 10 Events that can contribute to confrontations between employees include: Termination Personal conflict Displacement Disciplinary action If a staff member has experienced upsetting circumstances, he or she may be more likely to be involved in confrontation. Some events that may contribute to confrontations between employees include: Termination Personal conflict Displacement Disciplinary action
Slide 11 What can you do? Avoid threatening situations Request an escort Report Protection From Abuse Orders to security Maintain restricted access areas Do not be alone with visibly upset patient Notify your supervisor Notify Security Dial (610) 402-8220 for NON-EMERGENCIES (610) 402-5555 for EMERGENCIES ONLY Complete an Incident Report On the job, violent situations can often be avoided if you take some necessary precautions. Avoid threatening situations if possible Request security or a police escort Alert security to Protection from Abuse Orders (PFAs) issued to either patients or employees Question identity of unknown individuals Do not prop open any restricted-access doors or allow any unknown individual entrance to restricted-access areas Do not be alone with a visibly upset patient Notify your supervisor if you have safety concerns Notify Security by dialing (610) 402-8220 for non-emergencies or (610) 402-5555 for an IMMEDIATE security response, emergencies only Complete an Employee Incident Report
Slide 12 Dangerous situations are more easily defused through effective communication. Ask questions Listen carefully Explore solutions Provide feedback Let the person talk Dangerous situations with staff, patients, or visitors are more easily avoided or calmed through effective communication. These simple guidelines can help you to communicate effectively to defuse a dangerous situation. First, listen carefully. Make eye contact with the individual, and use appropriate body language to show that you are really tuned-in. Provide clear and specific feedback to what he or she has told you. Allow the person the opportunity to talk about what he or she is upset about. Ask open-ended questions. This will seem less threatening and allow the individual to expand on their feelings. By asking questions, it will show that you are interested in what has been said. Explore situations to help. Brainstorm strategies for resolving the issue.
Slide 13 Report every violent incident! Be sure to perform ALL of the following actions: 1 Notify security at (610) 402-8220 2 Notify your supervisor 3 Complete an Employee Incident Report LVHN Employee Incident Report and the associated policy can be found in the Environment of Care Manual. It is essential to report every violent incident including verbally abusive incidents, no matter how trivial. Be sure to perform ALL of the following actions: Notify security at (610)402-8220, to report the assault If you need immediate assistance, and this is an emergency call (610) 402-5555 Notify your supervisor of the situation Complete an Employee Incident Report
Slide 14 Sometimes it is impossible to avoid a violent situation. So it s important to know how to defuse the situation. Click on the bars below to learn more about what to do if an angry, aggressive person confronts you.
Slide 15 Code Orange is the emergency code for a patient who is: Exhibiting out of control behavior Poses a threat or harm to themselves and/or others Code orange is most therapeutic when identified early and designed to de-escalate a potentially violent interaction with a patient. Code Orange is the emergency code for a patient who is exhibiting out of control behavior and poses a threat or harm to themselves and/or others. LVHN has staff across all departments, inpatient and outpatient who are trained, certified, and part of the Code Orange response team. The code orange team is skilled at using verbal interventions to de-escalate the situation. Code orange is the most therapeutic when an escalating situation is identified early and the code orange is activated. This gives the team the opportunity to verbally deescalate the situation.
Slide 16 If you witness a Code Orange: Dial 555 Explain the details and location Example: Code Orange Muhlenberg Emergency Department Bay #1 Don t wait for the situation to escalate: CALL EARLY As soon as you suspect a potential violent situation and identify any warning signs, Dial 555 The LVHN Code Orange response plan can be found in Emergency Operations and Public Safety Manual If you witness a potential Code Orange situation at the first signs of agitation or suggestion of violence, you should follow the network procedures. Dial 555 Explain the details and location Example: Code Orange Muhlenberg Emergency Department Bay #1 If you are not sure a code orange should be called, Dial 555 and allow the security staff to evaluate the situation and take appropriate action. What you can do to help the response team: Be prepared to provide a hand-off to the team and be ready to assist as needed. Clear area of potentially dangerous equipment and other items. Keep other patients and visitors away from the situation.
Slide 17 A situation that requires response from the Security team An individual with a weapon Structural collapse A suspicious package A release of a gas or chemical A code 45 is a serious situation that requires a specific response from the Security team. This situation may include: An individual with a weapon Structural collapse of part of a building Discovery of a suspicious package Release of a chemical or biological agent or release of a gas
Slide 18 You will hear Code 45 announced Security officers will respond Leave the area quickly After a Code 45 situation, CODE 45 ALL CLEAR announcement will be made. This will signify to you it is safe to return to that area. The LVHN Code 45 Response Plan can be found in the Emergency Operations and Public Safety Manual It is important for all staff to know how to respond to a Code 45 situation. If a Code 45 occurs in your area: You will hear Code 45 announced Security officers will respond If possible, leave the area as quickly and safely as possible Security officers will be the only personnel authorized to be in the area. Security will call upon outside agencies such as law enforcement, fire departments or EMS, if needed. After a Code 45 situation, CODE 45 ALL CLEAR announcement will be made. This will signify to you it is safe to return to that area.
Slide 19 Remember Know warning signs Never try to deal with violence alone Observe safety precautions When faced with violence, contact security AND your supervisor. Click here for more information, including a video, about how to protect yourself and others in an Active Shooter Event. You can help to prevent violence if you remember some simple steps. Know warning signs that may signal possible violence. Never try to deal with violence alone. Observe safety precautions. When faced with threats or violence, contact security and your supervisor immediately.
Slide 20 You should now be able to: Recognize the signs that represent danger Identify how to take precautions to protect yourself and others You have completed this course and should now be able to: Recognize the signs that represent danger as well as identify how to take precautions to protect yourself and others.
Slide 21 You will now be directed to a short quiz to test your understanding. You must earn 80% or better to pass this test. To begin click the test button: TEST You will now be directed to a short quiz to test your understanding. You must earn 80% or better to pass this test. To begin, click the test button.