Course Description
Workplace violence is a real concern in many healthcare organizations these days. The statistics are stunning. According to the National Nurses United, in 2023, around 81% of nurses have experienced at least one type of workplace violence. Including other healthcare workers, there were 207 reported deaths among healthcare workers between 2016 and 2020. In the emergency setting, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians, 36% of emergency physicians have reported they have been assaulted while at work in 2021. The number of unreported incidents is even greater. There is a tendency for healthcare providers not reporting such incidents thinking this is not out of the ordinary and just part of their job. They are also discouraged with the complicated reporting process, taking more of their time when they are already crushed for time in patient charting. Workplace violence in healthcare settings is real. Nurses and healthcare providers do get hurt, if not physically, emotionally and psychologically.
Learning Objectives
- Look into the statistics or prevalence of workplace violence in healthcare settings.
- Know what California regulation Senate Bill 1299 as it relates to workplace violence in healthcare settings.
- Acknowledge that workplace violence does not only include physical assault. It includes other aggressive behavior such as intimidations, harassment, bullying and other threatening behaviors.
- List categories of workplace violence.
- List clinical scenarios where workplace violence often occurs.
- Realize consequences or negative effects of workplace violation to the organization.
- List recommendations for healthcare providers to avoid being a victim of workplace violence.
- List recommendations on what to do when one encounters or witnesses workplace violence.