What hospitals can do to protect staff and patients when violence strikes a place of healing
Read Article: CNN
Article Summary: Violence against healthcare workers is increasing, creating risks for both staff safety and patient care. The UPMC Memorial shooting highlights the critical need for better workplace violence prevention, security protocols, and support systems for healthcare workers to prevent future tragedies and ensure a safe environment for all.
The Risks:
Mass Casualty Event: Risk of a mass casualty event at a healthcare facility, exacerbated by the potential loosening of gun laws, increasing safety concerns for patients and staff. (Area: Operations) (Category: Operational Continuity)
Workplace Violence Impacting Staff Safety: Healthcare workers face an increasing risk of physical and emotional harm from workplace violence, which jeopardizes staff safety and can lead to higher turnover rates, increased absenteeism, and a decline in workforce morale. (Area: Human Resources) (Category: Employee Safety)
Disruption of Hospital Operations Due to Violence: Workplace violence incidents, such as active shooter situations, can disrupt hospital operations, leading to emergency response deployment, facility closures, and service interruptions. (Area: Operations) (Category: Operational Continuity)