Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention: Federal and State Regulatory Status, Agency Guidance, Industry Standards

Description

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the healthcare industry experience workplace violence at a significantly higher rate than those in other industries. While OSHA has published guidance on preventing and responding to workplace violence against healthcare workers, and a proposed agency rule for workplace violence prevention in healthcare is expected, there is currently not a federal standard.

Given the serious risks to healthcare workers, many states have enacted legislation aimed at workplace violence prevention in healthcare. Certain states require employers to proactively develop workplace violence prevention plans, including California, Connecticut, and Texas. Other state laws allow employers to pursue certain protections on behalf of their employees, such as in North Carolina where an employer may file a civil action to obtain a no-contact order on behalf of an employee who has suffered workplace violence. Still others have increased criminal penalties for assaults against healthcare workers, such as the Georgia "Safer Hospitals Act" which also allows hospitals to create their own police forces.

In addition to legislation, the Joint Commission released revised workplace violence prevention standards for its accredited hospitals, providing the framework for developing workplace violence prevention programs, policies, and training.

Listen as our expert panel provides a comprehensive overview of workplace violence in the healthcare industry. The panel will examine the status of federal and state regulation, with a close look at notable state laws, and industry standards such as those established by the Joint Commission. The panel will also offer best practices for assisting healthcare clients with developing workplace violence prevention programs and mitigating the risk of workplace violence.