Although you might believe healthcare to be full of healthy individuals, many healthcare providers operate in high-risk fields; individuals in the health field are four times more likely to fall victim to workplace violence. Furthermore, the amount of violence risk is surprising; here are 5 reasons to protect yourself and your practice from workplace violence:
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Workplace violence has a price
and it’s nothing to scoff at. Providers are usually required to compensate employees for days off related to a work accident. Additionally, the cost of replacing a nurse alone may cost a hospital from around 30-100K.
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You’re four times as likely to be a victim
of workplace violence in the health field. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 24% of Nurses were victims of healthcare violence in year and 12% of emergency department professionals have reported to have been attacked in the last two weeks [/su_spoiler]
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Professionals don’t want to report it
The modern hippocratic oath focuses on the principals of “Do No Harm” as well as the role of a physician in society. For that matter, he or she may regard reporting healthcare violence as a way to get rid of patients that hare hard to work with. Additionally, many also feel as if they have a moral obligation to prevent harm to patients, and that by taking legal action, they may harm patients. [/su_spoiler]
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It can be easy, and it may become a requirement
At AMC, we offer a variety of courses and one specifically targeting workplace violence preparation. Legislative efforts are pushing employers to adopt workplace prevention program to prevent workplace violence in California and Cal/OSHA may eventually require all workplaces to place more precautions from workplace violence. Consequently, you may need to eventually become OSHA compliant with new policies anyway.
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5.
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Also, Workplace Violence Can be Prevented
The Department of Health and Human Services indicates that many risks can be avoided altogether by creating a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan with 5 elements: “management commitment and worker participation, worksite analysis and hazard identification, hazard prevention and control, safety and health training, recordkeeping and program evaluation”
All in all, it’s important to protect your biggest investments, your employees.
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