Hospital violence is an important and ongoing issue. As advocates for nurses over many decades, Action Products would like to use the next two blog posts not only make readers aware of problems involving violence and abuse towards and among healthcare workers, but to connect our blog readers to information about resources and initiatives addressing healthcare workplace violence.

 The #EndNurseAbuse initiative has grown to more than 20,000 nurses and healthcare workers. In 2018, the Professional Issues Panel promoted reporting of incidences, increasing security procedures, and leveraging consumers’ voices in advocating for a safer healthcare system. The mantra: “Support. Educate. Take Action. Share.”

Physicians may spend only 30 to 45 minutes a day with even critically ill patients, while nurses are a constant presence at the bedside and regularly interact with physicians, pharmacists, families, and all other members of the health care team. Yet, in their daily work, explains the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “nurses are frequently exposed to disruptive or unprofessional behavior by physicians and other health care personnel, and such exposure has been demonstrated to be a key factor in nursing burnout and in nurses leaving their job or the profession entirely”.

Studies published recently show violence against healthcare employees remains common, writes Wallace Stephens in ajmc.com. With the majority of workplace assaults occurring in healthcare settings annually, a mere 26% of these incidences have been reported! And, while 70% of emergency physicians have reported acts of violence against them, only 3% pressed charges.

Why is that so? Stephens opines that, beyond the belief that workplace violence is “just part of the job,” many workers feel that they will suffer consequences if they speak out about what has happened to them. Even if not accused of insubordination, they fear, retribution may take the form of their hours being cut or their schedules altered.

 The World Health Organization (WHO) defines workplace violence as including both physical and psychological harm, including attacks, verbal abuse, bullying, and both sexual and racial harassment. The government has taken initiatives to help protect employees in the healthcare field, but advocacy groups have stressed that more meaningful changes are needed. 

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