EDITOR’S NOTE:  Improving safety is a top priority among healthcare facilities, not only for patients but for healthcare employees as well. Workplace violence has been a challenge in hospitals and the number of incidents has increased dramatically in recent years. California has issued a mandate to enforce training programs in hospitals with the purpose of reducing workplace violence. The mandate demonstrates a commitment to reducing a violence at a regulatory level and is an example of the positive influence nurses can have on policies to improve quality of life in the workplace. 

This article originally appeared in Modern Healthcare, April 2018

State law now requires California healthcare facilities to have comprehensive plans to protect clinicians from workplace violence.

The mandate, which went into effect April 1 and applies to all acute-care hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities in California, is part of a law that passed in 2014. The state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health worked over the last few years to establish the regulations with input from nurses.

The California Nurses Association strongly pushed for the mandate. Nurses typically bear the brunt of violence from patients and family members, with about 20% of nurses and nursing students across the U.S. reporting they have been physically assaulted on the job.

Many other states have adopted laws to address healthcare workplace violence, but California is the first to require hospitals to have a robust plan in place…

 

Read the rest of the article on Modern Healthcare.

 

Summary
Workplace violence prevention plans now required at California hospitals
Article Name
Workplace violence prevention plans now required at California hospitals
Description
Under the new law, healthcare providers must assess and identify areas in which employees are vulnerable to violence. Education and training must also be given to everyone that works at a facility including physicians.
Author
Publisher Name
Modern Healthcare
Publisher Logo
SHARE
Previous article5 Reasons L&D Nurses Prefer Inkless Footprinters
Next articleThermal vs. Laser Patient ID Wristbands Printing: A Critical Component of the EMR
Gustavo Ornelas is a marketing specialist at PDC where he helps in planning and executing campaigns aimed at promoting patient safety and workflow efficiency for healthcare. Gustavo graduated from Chico State University in Northern California with a degree in Media Arts, Design, and Technology. Prior to joining PDC, he was a crew member for documentary films that were set to broadcast on PBS, a social media specialist for a fitness center, and a photographer for a radio station and an award-winning university newspaper. Outside of PDC, you'll find Gustavo enjoying time with his loved ones, working as a freelance photographer, and exercising at the gym.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here