Description:

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare field has experienced increased workplace violence. The pandemic has placed significant stress on the entire healthcare system. Unfortunately, in some situations, patients, visitors, and family members have attacked healthcare staff and jeopardized our workforce's ability to provide care. Hospitals, health systems, and employees have expressed a strong interest in enacting a federal law protecting healthcare workers from violence and intimidation.

Violence in Healthcare settings, ranging from bullying to the extreme of an active shooter, is a serious concern. Healthcare professionals who provide essential care often find themselves vulnerable to various forms of violence within their workplace.

Violence in healthcare is a threat to the well-being of healthcare workers and the quality of patient care. As such, it demands a strategic and compassionate response from healthcare institutions, policymakers, and society. 

The session starts with explaining the definition of workplace violence: Any act against an employee that creates a hostile work environment and negatively affects the employee, either physically or psychologically. These acts include physical or verbal assaults, threats, coercion, intimidation, and harassment. (Workplace Violence Research Institute).

OSHA identifies healthcare as one of three “high-risk” industries for violence and has written a guidance document outlining steps healthcare should take to combat the risk. 

The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have played crucial roles in addressing workplace violence or threats occurring at a workplace that can include verbal, non-verbal, written, or physical aggression, intimidating, harassing, or humiliating words or actions in healthcare systems. Creating a safe and supportive environment for healthcare staff is vital, as their well-being directly impacts patient care.

Webinar Highlights:

• To define workplace violence (WV).
• To provide examples of workplace violence in healthcare.
• To discuss the relevant laws that address workplace violence.
• To state the impact and consequences of violence on the healthcare victims, the
• organization and patient care.
• To examine the clinical, occupational, social, and economic factors of violence in healthcare.
• To review ten de-escalation tips when dealing with an angry individual.
• To examine the causes of healthcare violence.
• To discuss a violence prevention program to ensure patients, families, visitors, and staff are safe.
• To outline the roles and responsibilities of the organization’s stakeholders.
• Moderate higher risk for violence- ED, ICU, Psych.
• Employee Gun Rights: ‘Parking Lot’ Laws.
• To explain how to help the workplace and workers recover following a violent episode.
• Workplace Violence Prevention for Healthcare and Social Service Workers Act.
• Tips to De-escalate and respond to imminent threats.
• DV laws to apply include OSHA, FMLA, Victim Assistance Laws, Civil Rights Laws, and State DV in the workplace.

Why Should You Attend:

Workplace Violence severely affects employees and organizations. Our nation’s healthcare workers, who have tirelessly helped care for and treat the sick and dying while facing increased violence, especially during the pandemic, deserve the same legal protections. 

As a healthcare leader, it's your responsibility to ensure a safe environment for your staff and patients. The Joint Commission emphasizes addressing unsafe patient care due to abusive behavior by health professionals. This webinar will guide you in creating and maintaining a violence prevention plan, covering essential steps from planning to evaluation. While the risk of an active shooter in healthcare is low, the impact of common healthcare-related violence is significant. It's crucial to prepare for and minimize such incidents.

Who Should Attend:

• Director of Risk Management
• Director of Safety
• Director of Quality Improvement
• Occupational Health Nurse
• VP of Nursing/Chief Nursing Officer
• Legal counsel
• Chief Medical Officer
• Chief Operations Officer

Presenter Information:

Name: Susan Straus

Dr. Susan Strauss is a national and international speaker, trainer, consultant, and recognized expert on workplace and school harassment and bullying. She conducts harassment and bullying investigations and functions as an expert witness in harassment and bullying lawsuits. Her clients are from business, education, healthcare, law, and government organizations from both the public and private sectors.

Dr. Strauss has conducted research, written over 30 books, book chapters, and journal articles on harassment, bullying, and related topics. She has been featured on television and radio programs as well as interviewed for newspaper and journal articles. Susan has a doctorate in organizational leadership. She is a registered nurse, has a bachelor’s degree in human services and counseling, a masters degree in community health, and a professional certificate in training and development.