Medical Examiner 3-15-24

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MARCH 15, 2024

AIKEN-AUGUSTA’S MOST SALUBRIOUS NEWSPAPER • FOUNDED IN 2006

STOP! The next issue of the Medical Examiner, dated April 5, will be a digital-only edition. The issue will be posted online at all the usual places: www.AugustaRx.com, www.issuu.com/ medicalexaminer, and Facebook.com/AugustaRx A paper edition will not be printed. +

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ne of the cruelest ironies of healthcare is that the very people dedicated to helping those who are hurt and in pain are themselves the recipients of much hurt and pain. The Journal of Emergency Nursing reported in May 2023 that 90% of emergency department employees had been exposed to workplace violence at least once, and 94.4% had experienced verbal abuse. The American College of Emergency Physicians says that 47% of emergency department physicians have been physically assaulted in the ED. Incidents of serious workplace violence, defined as those requiring days off for the injured worker to recuperate, are four times more common in healthcare than in other industries according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Healthcare is, in fact, the most dangerous occupation, accounting for 73% of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses due to violence, more than any other profession, surpassing even law enforcement.

AUGUSTARX.COM

Violent Injuries Resulting in Days Away from Work, by Industry, 2002-2013 Cases per 10,000 full-time employees

domestic violence at a healthcare provider’s home can sometimes spill over into workplace confrontations.

What can help stem the tide of violence? Complicated problems can’t be solved with simple solutions. But as is often the case when it comes to the treatment of patients, any number of options can contribute to a cure. According to one survey, 69% of healthcare workplaces have established policies, protocols and training programs to prevent and Why the increase in violence? ON PAGE 5 address violence. That alone leaves According to the American Asplenty of room for improvement, sociation of Medical Colleges, “The but as one respondent noted, “There is policy reasons for aggression vary: patients’ anger but no training.” A recurrent theme was the and confusion about their medical condineed for more training on a regular schedule, tions and care; grief over the decline of hospitalized loved ones; frustration while trying beginning with new-hire orientations. Training should focus on protecting the health to get attention amid staffing shortages, esand safety of medical staff, de-escalation and pecially in nursing; delirium and dementia; calming strategies, and documenting and remental health disorders; political and social porting incidents. Other components of a safissues; and gender and race discrimination.” They put the spotlight on patients because er workplace: better lighting in parking lots, self-locking doors, emergency alert or panic surveys show 97% of violent acts toward buttons, and the around-the-clock presence healthcare workers are perpetrated by paof police and/or security guards. tients. But there are other sources: patients’ When the Cleveland Clinic began a TSAfamily members and friends, co-workers, and as we have sometimes seen in the CSRA, Please see VIOLENCE page 11