A U.S. senator, on behalf of hospitals, is urging CMS and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to collaborate to find a regulatory framework that addresses violence at healthcare facilities, a hospital association spokesperson confirmed to Becker’s.
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., chairman of the Senate health appropriations subcommittee, submitted budget legislation last June directing the federal agencies to work together on a report to Congress on how they can improve safety for healthcare workers, patients, families and visitors.
Dave Dillon, spokesperson for the Missouri Hospital Association, said the joint report was due 180 days after the budget legislation was authorized. However, that deadline has come and gone.
Hospitals are eager to see the report because it will help them develop policies and regulations to protect caregivers and keep patients safe, said Mr. Dillon.
“We’re asking both CMS and OSHA to work together to find a regulatory framework that allows us to protect patients and staff at the same time, without jeopardizing compliance with regulations from either organization,” he said.
A CMS spokesperson indicated the agency is open to collaborative efforts.
“CMS health and safety requirements do not preclude healthcare workers from taking appropriate action to protect themselves from workplace violence. However, it is incumbent on the leadership at these healthcare facilities to ensure they provide adequate training, sufficient staffing levels and ongoing assessment of patients and residents for aggressive behavior and indicators to adapt their care interventions and environment appropriately,” a statement from the spokesperson says.
The statement added, "We have unfortunately seen examples where facilities failed to meet their obligations for sufficient staffing levels. For example, there have been instances where police or other patients have intervened when a patient was acting out because there weren’t sufficient other staff to help de-escalate the situation. CMS will continue to enforce the regulatory expectations that patients and staff have an environment that prioritizes their safety to ensure effective delivery of quality healthcare. CMS is available to collaborate with the Department of Labor to support safe environments for healthcare workers, patients, families and visitors."
Editor's note: Becker's has reached out to OSHA and will post additional information as it is available.
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