Workplace violence continues to escalate across the United States, and particularly in healthcare. The rate of workplace violence at Intermountain is 13.6% higher this year compared to three years ago. While this increase in risk is discouraging, we’ve seen a slight decrease in injuries resulting from workplace violence events, indicating good work is happening with the deployment of several tactics designed to protect caregivers.
As part of Intermountain’s commitment to addressing workplace violence and keeping caregivers safe, system and local workplace violence committees have taken action to address root causes of injuries that can be the result of workplace violence. Public-facing signage has been updated, safety protocols have been implemented, and expanded training resources have been provided.
“Caregivers come to work expecting to return home in as good of condition—if not better—than when they arrived,” says Dave Miner, assistant vice president of Environment of Care. “Workplace violence can have a significant impact on physical, mental, and emotional health and can affect caregiver morale and retention.”
New public-facing signage
The system Workplace Violence Steering Committee, in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications and Clinical Enterprise teams, have developed new patient room and lobby signs that respectfully make it clear violence and abuse of caregivers isn’t tolerated.
“While most patients aren’t violent, we still want to encourage good behavior with those visiting our facilities and reinforce with our caregivers that violence should not be tolerated nor considered ‘just part of the job,’” Dave says.
The patient room and lobby signs display messages in both English and Spanish—the two most common languages spoken by our patient population.
Workplace violence training
Intermountain has partnered with AVADE, to certify numerous Security caregivers across the Canyons and Desert regions as healthcare workplace violence prevention trainers. This will expand the availability of workplace violence de-escalation and defense training. A variety of workplace violence prevention resources have also been refined and can be accessed on the workplace violence intranet page.
“Training to recognize escalating behaviors is an effective way for caregivers to learn to use their resources to de-escalate situations, provide early intervention, and prevent workplace injury,” says Coni Robinson, clinical education consultant.
Caregivers can access information and training on:
- Recognizing and reporting disruptive behavior.
- Workplace violence prevention and de-escalation.
- Code Green.
- Green Sheets.
“Situational awareness and stepping back for safety are key first steps to preventing violent escalations,” says Craig Allen, safety management director.
Anticipating the potential for violent escalation using the “Recognize and Respond Guidelines” has been successful in managing potential workplace violence. The intent of these resources is to help caregivers hardwire key safety behaviors, such as:
- Always maintain awareness.
- Use Green Sheets where appropriate and be aware of identified risk.
- Step back for safety.
- Try to verbally de-escalate, when possible.
- Get help early (such as calling Code Green).
- Don’t try to handle an escalating situation alone.
Please submit any ideas that have improved caregiver safety on your team to the Idea Portal and visit the Workplace Violence intranet page to access these important resources.