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.
Parking: Where the Outpatient Land Crunch Shows First
Clear Behavioral Health Opens New Outpatient Mental Health Center in Anaheim Hills
Bon Secours Begins Construction on Freestanding Emergency Department in Norfolk
The OR HVAC Puzzle: Why Individual Systems Are on the Rise
Skanska Completes Renovation of Specialized Care Facility for Sutter Health