Workplace Violence in Healthcare
Healthcare workers are 5 times more likely to experience an injury from workplace violence than other professions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines workplace violence as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported for the 2-year period 2021-2022 healthcare and social assistance workers experienced the highest number of workplace violence incidents, reporting 41,960 cases requiring days away from work, job restrictions, or job transfers. These numbers accounted for 72.8% of all cases of workplace violence in private industry.
The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies (TCNWS) completed a study in 2016 on workplace violence against nurses. According to the survey results, 83% of responding nurses reported experiencing workplace violence.
The National Institute for Occupational safety and Health (NIOSH) describes 4 types of workplace violence.
Type 1: Criminal Intent is where the perpetrator has no relationship with the business or employees and usually occurs during a criminal activity.
Type 2: Customer/Client. This is the most common type of violence in healthcare. This type of violence occurs between the patient, families, or visitors and the healthcare worker.
Type 3: Worker on Worker. Also known as lateral or horizonal violence, this type of violence includes bullying, verbal abuse, and physical abuse.
Type 4: Personal Relationship. This type of violence occurs when a relationship outside the workplace exists, but the violence between the individuals occurs at the work site.
During the 88th Texas legislative session, bills were passed and signed into law that address workplace violence in healthcare settings. SB 240 requires healthcare facilities, employing at least 2 registered nurses, must establish a workplace violence prevention committee and develop a prevention plan. They must have a written workplace violence prevention policy and plan to protect healthcare workers and employees from violent behavior and threats of violent behavior occurring at the facility. SB840 enhances the penalty for assaulting a hospital employee to a 3rd degree felony if the employee is on hospital property.
In an effort to provide a safe environment for employees and promote a healing environment for patients, Midland Memorial Hospital has created a list of aggressive behaviors that do not contribute to a safe caring environment. Examples of unacceptable aggressive behaviors include
• Causing physical injury to another person
• Making threats of physical injury or harm
• Acts of sexual harassment or domestic violence
• Discriminatory remarks
• Intentionally damaging property
• Aggressively displaying a weapon