Adviser Vol. 3 2016 | Page 8

This Is
COOL

Insurance Made Simple

Preventing Violence ...
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Use safety devices such as alarms, panic buttons, cameras,
two-way mirrors, key-card access systems and hire
security personnel;
Install curved mirrors at hallway intersections;
Train staff on how to recognize hostile situations
and behavior;
Increase staffing in the evenings or in places where
patients may become violent;
Encourage employees to carpool so they arrive and depart
in groups;
Provide a complimentary shuttle service or security guards to escort employees out of
the building;
Explain the zero tolerance policy for violence to patients;
Have relationships with the local police and alert them of the emergency action plans
in the event of violence;
Gather previous records of patients to determine if they pose threats to employees;
Design a program to deal with violent and combative patients including:
• Arrange furniture in such a way to prevent the staff from becoming trapped in
the room;
• Place minimal, lightweight furniture in the rooms without any sharp corners;
• Affix the furniture to the floor;
• Remove excess clutter from the rooms, especially items on countertops that could
be used as weapons;
• Make sure there is a second exit in patient rooms for employees in the event that
the patient becomes violent; and
• Require that employees implement a buddy system when treating high-risk
patients so they are never alone.

Response to Violence
In the event that a violent act is committed in the facility, employees need a supportive
management staff to rely on to get through the trying time. To ensure that employees
receive the support they need, the healthcare facility should establish a response team to
deal with the situation.
This team is responsible for providing medical care for the injured employee(s) and
counseling after the fact.
OSHA also requires that facilities fill out an OSHA Form 300 within eight hours of
the incident to document all work-related injuries if three or more employees were
hospitalized. By documenting violence, OSHA and the facility can determine the severity
of the incident and determine how the situation can be prevented in the future.
Remember that it is the facility’s responsibility to take steps to protect its employees from
violence and maintain a safe working environment.
Provided by Cool Insuring Agency, Inc. This Is Cool is not intended to be exhaustive nor should
any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an
insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2015 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Fall 2016