When can providing health care be dangerous? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it might be when working with patients in inpatient and acute psychiatric service facilities, geriatric long-term care settings, high-volume urban emergency departments, and residential and day social services.
Between 2011 and 2013, 70 to 74 percent of workplace assaults occurred in health care and social service settings, OSHA says, and the greatest risk was in facilities like those named above, primarily as a result of violent behavior of patients, clients, and/or residents.
OHSA has just released a revised edition of its manual, Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers (PDF). The 60-page manual guides readers through a comprehensive violence prevention program, from management commitment through facility adaptations like better lighting to training and program evaluation.
But the guide has good takeaways that apply to anyone who works (or is responsible for or works with others) in high-risk locations or practice settings. It also has checklists for anyone concerned about workplace security.
Here are some tips for self-protection:
- Make sure all workers know procedures for documenting and communicating to colleagues patients' change in behavior.
- Know the location of alarm systems and exits of the facilities where you work.
- Learn to recognize escalating behavior, warning signs, or situations that may lead to assaults.
- Understand techniques to prevent or diffuse volatile situations or aggressive behavior.
- Be prepared as well to deal with hostile people other than patients, such as relatives and visitors.
- Be sure your practice setting has a standard response action plan for violent situations, including the availability of assistance, response to alarm systems, and communication procedures.
- Use the "buddy system" when appropriate.
Your best source for eliminating all types of workplace hazards in a medical practice (in an OHSA-compliant way) is the Annual OSHA Training for Medical Practices, and training. It's available in the TMA Education Center.
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Last Updated On
October 07, 2022
Originally Published On
May 13, 2015