Putting a Spotlight on Safe Health Care Workplaces

June 07, 2024

On #HAVhope Friday, HAP and Pennsylvania’s hospitals and health systems are highlighting efforts to combat violence in our workplaces and communities.

Today marks the eighth annual Hospitals Against Violence #HAVhope Friday, emphasizing how hospitals, health systems, and other health care organizations across the nation continue to focus on building safer environments for health care workers. The annual event, organized by the American Hospital Association (AHA), also puts the spotlight on violence as a public health issue, and the ways human trafficking, gun violence, and mass violence incidents affect our communities.

HAP and the hospital community continue to focus on initiatives that can support healthy workplaces. HAP and the AHA are urging Congress to support the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act. The bipartisan effort is co-led by a member of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, Representative Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), who introduced the bill with Representative Larry Bucshon, MD (R-Ind.).

The SAVE Act aims to address violence against health care workers by giving health care workers the same legal protections against assault and intimidation that flight crews and airport workers have under federal law. More information about the importance of the SAVE Act is available in HAP’s fact sheet.

Violence and abuse targeting health care workers is not part of the job and is never acceptable. Hospitals continue to focus on initiatives that promote trauma support, a culture of safety, reduce violence, and mitigate risks. HAP joins the AHA and hospitals throughout the nation urging Congress to pass the SAVE Act.

Additional information about HAVhope Friday is available online.