No matter the situation, violence towards our staff is never OK.
“Healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable to occupational violence because they deal with people in stressful, unpredictable and sometimes volatile situations,” explains Fiona Reed, Executive Director of Nursing.
“Occupational violence in health environments is a serious issue with the potential for tragic outcomes.”
“Peninsula Health continues to promote a safety culture in which the commitment to the safety of individuals is paramount and where the safety of our staff and patients are valued equally,” says Fiona.
Mark Carson has first-hand experience of this.
As a member of the Ward Support Team at Frankston Hospital, Mark and his team assist clinical staff to de-escalate incidents, stop potential violence towards staff and provide support to patients.
“Based on the clinician’s advice, we make sure everyone, including staff, is safe and deal with the matter in the calmest possible way,” explains Mark.
“If staff members don’t feel safe, or are in need of assistance with their patient, then the Ward Support Team or Security, or both, will respond as appropriate.”
The rate of occupational violence across the health service, as well as the severity of incidents, is reducing.
“That’s good news for staff, patients and the many visitors who come through our doors every day,” says Fiona.
How are we improving staff safety?
Behaviour contracts have been developed for patients who have a history of aggression.
- Additional environmental controls have been installed in high risk areas such as low stimulation rooms for some patients.
- Security has been increased, and our security guards now wear body cameras to record aggressive and violent behaviour – we have found that when aggressive patients or visitors see they are being recorded, they become less confrontational.
- A dedicated Ward Support Team, trained in ways to de-escalate aggressive or violent incidents, is in place.
- Staff who work out in the community now have duress alarms, so they can call for help if they feel threatened or unsafe.
How have these actions helped?
Reporting of occupational violence incidents across Peninsula Health has increased. We can now identify ‘hot spot’ wards and other factors, such as time of day that may contribute to aggression and violence by patients or visitors.
- Since the Occupational Violence Steering Committee began its work in February 2016, the number of occupational violence incidents has fallen.
- High risk areas such as Mental Health, our Emergency Departments and some inpatient wards report reduced incidences or no incidences at all.
This article was first published in the 2017 Quality of Care report. Read the full edition online here.
The post It’s never ok appeared first on Peninsula Health.