Working in Health Care
Summary
The healthcare industry is facing difficult times and the sad facts are that during the years 2019-2022 inclusive, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 133 workplace fatalities in the nursing and residential care facilities sector. ¹⁷ This is unacceptable, there is a problem and things need to change.
With statistics like those above and that 9 in 10 healthcare workers reported experiencing violence from a patient or caregiver in a single month,¹⁸ it is not surprising that so many are considering leaving the profession.
Legislation is currently in Congress, but this isn't enough, things need to change for health workers from today.
But what can be done? There are many things companies can do to keep their care workers safe and reduce the risk of workplace violence and injuries. The first thing is a proper risk assessment of the environment and resident being cared for;
What are the safety risks? (travel, patient's home, building, neighborhood)
Is there a danger to personal safety? (interactions with others in the household)
Is there a history of violence? (What is the patients mental status?)
Are there potential hazards? (Animals, physical dangers)
Are there biological hazards? (communicable diseases)
Is there an emergency plan or emergency procedures that need to be followed?
Once these issues have been addressed there needs to be a company policy created for each specific patient that includes mitigating strategies to meet both the client’s care needs and your lone worker’s safety. This must include regular contact with supervisors and a panic button or lone worker solution.
Care workers can combine regular check ins, a panic button and a lone worker solution within an employee safety monitoring app. These can be downloaded directly to a smartphone, so there is no need for staff to carry additional devices. Packed with safety features like GPS locations, discreet alerts and timed activity check-ins they are the easiest way to add an extra layer of protection to those staff who need it the most.
References
1 - Pg 2, Guidelines for Preventing workplace violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers, https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3148.pdf2 - Pg 4, Enforcement Procedures and Scheduling for occupational Exposure to Workplace violence 3 - Pg 2, Guidelines for Preventing workplace violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3148.pdf4 - https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/resources/workplace-violence/sea_59_wpv_infographic_3_30_18_final.pdf5 - https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2021/09/02/hhc-violence/6 - https://www.osha.gov/healthcare7 - https://www.pressganey.com/news/on-average-two-nurses-are-assaulted-every-hour-new-press-ganey-analysis-finds/8- https://www.performancehealthus.com/blog/hospital-incident-reporting-software-reduces-workplace-violence-in-healthcare9 - https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-11-15/us-faces-crisis-of-burned-out-health-care-workers10 - https://hitconsultant.net/2023/04/14/patient-violence-is-the-top-safety-concern-for-healthcare-workers/11 - https://www.performancehealthus.com/blog/hospital-incident-reporting-software-reduces-workplace-violence-in-healthcare12 - https://hitconsultant.net/2023/04/14/patient-violence-is-the-top-safety-concern-for-healthcare-workers/13 - https://www.aha.org/press-releases/2023-09-12-aha-statement-senate-introduction-safety-violence-healthcare-employees-act14 - Pg 2, Guidelines for Preventing workplace violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3148.pdf 15 - https://www.cthealthexplained.org/healthcare-workforce/#:~:text=How%20many%20healthcare%20workers%20does%20Connecticut%20have%3F&text=As%20of%20May%202024%2C%20one,fastest%20growing%20in%20our%20state. 16 - Connecticut launches grants to increase safety for home health care workers - YouTube17 - https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag623.htm18 - https://www.performancehealthus.com/blog/hospital-incident-reporting-software-reduces-workplace-violence-in-healthcare
