Workplace Violence Incidents Increase at Hospitals
Hospital workers are the unsung heroes of our time. Admittedly, I am a bit biased since my mother and brother are nurses - a BSN and DNP, respectively. They work hard to save lives, but no one ever thinks about the conditions they work under, which are some of the most dangerous. I can go back in time and think of the challenging stories my mom has shared. She has been through quite a bit as a nurse. I can then fast forward and think about the levels of violence my brother has been involved in while at work.
It’s not getting better.
With workplace violence incidents increasing in the past few years, hospitals have become one of America's most dangerous places to work. In this blog post, we will discuss the risks and impacts of workplace violence in hospitals and how it can be mitigated with a digital reporting and collaboration tool like IMPaCT.
According to statistics, 73% of nonfatal workplace injuries in America in 2018 happened in hospitals. The incidents have increased, reaching 10.4 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. Nurses face the highest frequency of violence in hospitals, with men aged 35-65 being the most reported attackers. My mom, for example, was arguably a statistic of this. Over half of all reported incidents were caused by combative patients. Sadly, most hospitals do not have a complaints department or violence prevention tools, leading to many unreported incidents.
Due to the increasing risk of workplace violence, hospitals need better protection systems. Drug-resistant infections, injuries from needles, and violence pose risks that must be addressed. IMPaCT, a digital reporting tool, could help.
This digital reporting and collaboration tool can help patients or employees voice concerns through QR codes placed in various discrete areas, including wards, hospital rooms, bathrooms, and designated private spaces. Reports submitted through QR codes would go to specific departments like hospital security, human resources, mental health teams, and other appropriate facility management departments.
By implementing IMPaCT, hospitals can foster a safer place to work. This tool will provide a platform for those who need assistance, including patients, employees, and anyone else who visits a hospital. Hospitals should also train their staff and managers to respond to violence. We have the appropriate partners, such as Corey Jones with SafetyMan Consulting. With such systems in place, hospitals can decrease the risk of violence in their workplace, and all members can feel safe.
In conclusion, hospitals have become one of the most dangerous places to work in America, with a growing number of violence-related incidents in recent years. The solution to this problem is not just about placing more security guards - it requires an integrated approach that sees everyone working together to create a safer workplace. IMPaCT is one digital solution that can help. Hospitals can create a reporting system that channels reports to the appropriate departments by placing QR codes in discrete areas throughout hospitals. Hospitals can become safer places for the unsung heroes who work there with the right tools for reporting and collaboration and good workplace safety strategies. Safety officers, hospital staff, and hospital leadership can finally take steps to reduce workplace violence incidents in hospitals, thereby enhancing everyone's safety and access to care.
