Workplace%20Violence

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Workplace Violence

• Whats Your Safety Temperature?

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Did you know?

• Violence is the 2nd leading cause of death in the
  workplace
• Healthcare workers have the highest rate of
  nonfatal assaults among all occupations
• Nurses are three times more likely to experience
  workplace violence than any other profession
• Most violent acts go unreported

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Todays Objectives

• Define workplace violence
• Provide examples of healthcare workplace violence
• Understand the risk factors to violence
• Learn violenceprevention strategies

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What is workplace violence?

• NIOSH defines it as violent acts (including
  physical assaults and threats of assaults)
  directed toward persons at work or on duty

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Examples of workplace violence

• Threats
• verbal
• body language
• written

• Physical Assaults
• hitting/slapping
• beating/kicking
• rape
• homicide

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What are the risk factors for violence in
healthcare?

• Working closely with patients
• Working when understaffed
• Less patient attention
• Increased staff frustration
• Overcrowded, uncomfortable waiting rooms
• Agitated family and visitors
• Working alone
• Opportunities for attack by
  patients and co-workers
• Lack of staff training

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What can you do?
SAFETY FIRST

• Verbally expressed anger or frustration
• Threatening gestures
• Signs of substance abuse
• Presence of a weapon

• Evaluate situation
• Stay on guard
• Dont isolate yourself
• Keep an open path for exiting
• Remove yourself when necessary
• Call for security

• Present a calm and caring attitude
• Dont match threats
• Dont give orders
• Acknowledge persons feelings
• Avoid behaviors that might be interpreted as
  aggressive

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Workplace Violence

• Whats Your Safety Temperature?