Strides continue to be made within hospitals and health systems in the key areas of infection prevention, ensuring patient safety, and combating workplace violence. Despite these significant advancements, a recent report by the American Hospital Association (AHA) underscores the need for ongoing work in these vital domains. This deep insight was derived from the Quality Collective (QC), an engagement platform that fosters collaboration among influential figures in healthcare quality improvement. To adapt to the ebbs and flows prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the QC undertook a three-month initiative devoted to discussing key quality-related issues in healthcare and formulating strategies to tackle these evolving challenges.
Atop the agenda of QC members was the critical issue of constraining workplace violence. As per the report from the AHA, a strategic approach to this serious matter involves utilizing independent surveys and safety culture surveys. This allows hospitals and health systems to gain an in-depth understanding of staff experiences and suggestions for improvement concerning workplace violence. There is a noticeable trend of workplace violence being underreported by frontline staff, a concern addressed by launching awareness initiatives and conducting staff interviews.
These efforts are coupled with supplementary surveys aimed at measuring their impact. This methodology has allowed the formation of dedicated subcommittees within hospital teams, focusing on preventing workplace violence. These subcommittees conduct risk assessments, address staff issues, and present top recommendations to executive leadership.
To further safeguard workplaces, the AHA advocates for the use of technology. Hospitals and health systems can strengthen their security measures by incorporating electronic medical record safety screening tools and QR code systems for swift reporting of violence, bullying, and uncivil behavior. The provision of training can enlighten staff members on how to de-escalate volatile situations using practiced scripting, role modeling, and encouraging them to voice their concerns. Organizing regular training drills as part of safety week activities can efficiently enhance staff awareness and education related to workplace violence. Other strategies encompass close collaboration with local police, clear definition of roles during emergencies, prioritization of de-escalation techniques prior to police involvement and the installation of panic buttons that directly, and rapidly, alert the police.
From a clinical perspective, QC members have reported areas of superiority in patient safety, infection prevention, and emergency preparedness within their respective organizations. However, they also recognized areas for development, notably in population health management, behavioral health, and health equity. The report outlines a clear commitment from executive leadership, cultivation of an engaged culture, and infrastructure enhancements for performance improvement as areas of strength.
Despite these strong points, there is an urgent need to address shortcomings related to community engagement, technology, and board involvement. Moreover, key areas of focus concerning organizational quality include reduced readmissions, minimizing harm events, improved stewardship of antibiotics, achievement of high reliability, enhancement of patient experience, increased focus on health equity, and sustained efforts for preventing workplace violence. Significant areas of successful clinical quality measured by respondents included patient safety, infection prevention, and emergency preparedness and response. With respect to cultural quality, commitment from executive leadership, accreditation, and performance improvement capacity were regarded as successful attributes, while community engagement, board involvement, and technology were highlighted as focal areas for improvement.
The results, gathered in the wake of a Premier survey conducted in 2023, identified that 40% of healthcare workers had experienced at least one incident of workplace violence over the preceding two years. These incidents were most frequently reported amongst the nursing staff, predominantly from men aged between 35 to 65 years. Over half of these reported incidents were incited by unruly patients.
While workplace violence can manifest in any industry or organization, data compiled by the Cleveland Clinic in 2021 highlighted that it is roughly four times more prevalent in healthcare than other sectors. The pressing issue of escalating workplace violence was validated by a survey conducted by National Nurses United in November 2020. It revealed that a striking 20% of 15,000 registered nurses nationwide reported a rise in workplace violence. In consideration of these alarming findings, the healthcare industry must commit continuously to improved model policies to protect staff and patients alike.
Source: https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/hospitals-making-progress-combating-workplace-violence