Susan Jackiewicz, Administrator, Neuroscience Service Line at UVA Health, & Ava Speciale, Nurse Manager Trauma & Surgical Subspecialties Acute Care & Inpatient WOC Team at UVA Health. Here, they discuss the ramping up of, their work preventing, & what should be done about workplace violence in healthcare.
Summary
Ramping Up Prevention: Healthcare Workers Discuss Workplace Violence
Focusing on Prevention
Susan Jackiewicz, Administrator, Neuroscience Service Line at UVA Health, and Ava Speciale, Nurse Manager Trauma & Surgical Subspecialties Acute Care & Inpatient WOC Team at UVA Health, recently sat down to discuss the issue of workplace violence in healthcare. According to the two healthcare workers, preventing workplace violence is a major priority for the industry.
Reporting Incidents Urged
Jackiewicz and Speciale emphasized the importance of reporting incidents of workplace violence immediately. Whether it occurs in the form of verbal abuse, sexually inappropriate behavior or physical assault, healthcare workers are encouraged to be vigilant and report incidents promptly in order to prevent future occurrences. The majority of workplace violence cases are related to delirium, dementia, or impulsivity, but there has been an uptick in angry aggressive patients and psychiatric patients as well. Politically motivated incidents have not been reported as a problem.
Prevention Efforts in Place
Jackiewicz discussed her organization's prevention efforts, which includes training and education on how to recognize and prevent workplace violence, as well as how to respond appropriately when incidents occur. Their policy also prohibits guns from being brought into the facility. By implementing these measures, healthcare organizations hope to make their workplace safer for all employees.
The Future of Workplace Violence Prevention
As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, so will the prevention tactics against workplace violence. Despite the challenges presented, healthcare professionals are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all employees, while continuing to provide top-quality patient care.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 09/19/2022 and can be listened here.
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