Recent acts of violence against healthcare employees are leading more states to take action to protect medical workers' safety, according to an article on the Business Insurance website.
California enacted a law recently that requires hospitals to implement plans to protect workers from violent behavior. Illinois and New Jersey have similar laws.
Acts of violence against healthcare workers are “happening with increasing frequency, so healthcare facilities need to start looking at this more than they used to and ... start being more proactive and preventive,” said Carolyn Reinach Wolf, executive partner at Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Wolf L.L.P. in New York and a former hospital risk manager.
According to the article, violence nationwide against healthcare workers likely is underreported because physical and verbal assaults by patients and visitors are considered part of the job.
While legislation is important for healthcare worker safety, the primary driver for change in the workplace is training, experts say.
A 'Superbug' Is on the Rise in Hospitals
The Next Generation of Security Tech in Healthcare Facilities
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of St. Petersburg Opens
Why More Facilities are Adding Gender Neutral Restrooms
Massachusetts Hospital Cyberattack Reflects Growing Vulnerability in Healthcare Systems