Steps to Support Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention

December 19, 2024

Workplace violence is a not a new challenge in health care, but it has been an increasing cause for concern following the COVID-19 pandemic.

This morning, HAP hosted a webinar discussion, bringing together Pennsylvania hospitals, security, and artificial intelligence (AI) experts focused on hands-on prevention methods and solutions.

“Collaboration and sharing best practices among hospitals and the community can help identify potential strategies to address health care workplace violence,” Chris Chamberlain, MS, RN, CHEP, HAP’s vice president, emergency management said. “Hospitals are prioritizing investments and initiatives to keep their teams safe, and today’s discussion is designed share critical intervention and practices to prevent and respond to violence targeting health care workers.”

Here are five things to know:

• Goal:  The event presented real-world ideas and techniques to protect health care professionals and support safety personnel. Participating in today’s discussion were public safety and security representatives from hospitals across Pennsylvania, as well as Kat Kemper-Kelly, PhD, senior consultant, Vizient Security Solutions.
• Key Issues:  The webinar focused on the importance of risk mitigation, the benefits of establishing a hospital police department, prevention and response, behavioral threat assessment, and leveraging AI to enhance safety and strengthen security strategies.
• Reinforcement:  Emphasis was placed on the importance of hospital staff training, drills, and refreshing intervention and prevention skills consistently, as well as staying current with technology and other resources.
• Community Outreach:  Follow up contact with at-risk patients, where appropriate, can address/reduce future or ongoing issues. Hospitals were also encouraged to foster relationships with state and local law enforcement.
• Quotable:  “Health care workers are under attack on a daily basis, and it’s only gotten worse since COVID,” said Matthew Exley, EMT-B, CHSS, PACEM, CHPA, director of employee and public safety, WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital, and chapter president, International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety.

For more about today’s event, contact Christopher Chamberlain, MS, RN, CHEP, HAP’s vice president, emergency management.