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URMC / Highland Hospital / Medical Professionals / Physician News / November 2022 / Workplace Safety is a Highland Priority

Workplace Safety is a Highland Priority

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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals nationwide have experienced an increase in workplace violence (WPV). The pandemic placed significant stress on the entire health care system, and unfortunately, in some situations, patients, visitors and family members can be involved in violent incidents, jeopardizing our workforce’s ability to provide care. Moreover, a rise in violence nationwide has led to fear of local impacts. In addition to other ongoing safety and security activities, Highland has formed a Workplace Violence committee, which is spearheading efforts to increase education on how to respond to difficult behavior in the safest, most effective way possible. Training is being provided at what is the first step level at all six system affiliated hospitals through the Crisis Prevention Institute.

Highland staff members are taking training through Achieve called "CPI: Prevention First," which will provide staff with tools to identify and de-escalate situations involving difficult behavior. In addition, a toolkit outlining key concepts from the training will be provided to all units and departments to display in break rooms, and we will be sharing de-escalation tips on screensavers in the months ahead.

Melissa Evans M.S., R.N., C.N.L., Chief Nursing Officer and Joe Coon, Manager, Safety and Security, spearhead the committee.  “The bottom line is that Workplace Violence is a reality,” said Terri L. Nairn, M.S., B.S.N., R.N., NEA-BC, Director, Nursing Professional Development, who takes care of hospital education on the issue. “There are newer regulatory standards that hospitals must address related to WPV and The Joint Commission has a whole new standard as a result.” For more information or contact Nairn at  (585) 341-6709.

11/1/2022

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