Strategies to mitigate violence in health care settings

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has developed a brochure to create a safer workplace.

A comprehensive violence prevention program should start with the formation of multidisciplinary committees that include direct-care staff to identify risk factors in specific work scenarios and develop strategies for reducing them.

While each facility is different, NIOSH suggests employers follow general prevention tactics such as:

Environmental designs. Develop emergency signaling, alarms, and monitoring systems; install security devices, such as cameras and good lighting in hallways.
Administrative controls. Design staffing patterns to prevent personnel from working alone and to minimize patient waiting time; develop a system for alerting security personnel when violence is threatened.
Behavior modifications. Train workers to recognize and manage assaults, resolve conflicts, and maintain hazard awareness.

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NIOSH also suggests employers make preparations to deal with the consequences of violence by promoting open communication and developing written procedures for reporting and responding to violence.

January 31, 2011

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