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Workplace Violence
About two million
Americans are victims of workplace assaults each year.
One thousand are killed
40,000 are victims of
aggravated assaults
1.5 million are victims
of simple assaults
51,000 are raped and/or
sexually assaulted
Homicides account for 1
out of 6 fatal occupational injuries
Firearms were used to
commit more than 80% of these workplace homicides
A
threat of violence
Includes any behavior
that by its very nature could be interpreted by a reasonable person as intent to
cause physical harm to another individual
An
act of violence
Includes any physical
action, whether intentional, reckless, or accidental that harms or threatens the
safety of another individual in the workplace
Potentially violent and
unacceptable behavior includes:
-
Exaggerated tone of
voice, screaming or yelling
-
Throwing objects
-
Name calling and use of
derogatory statements
-
Berating individuals in
front of others
-
Cursing, cussing and
foul language
-
Aggressive movement,
gestures and actions
YOUR ROLE
Recognize,
Respond and Report
Recognize
Sensitivity to subtle
and more apparent aggressive behavior is key to prevention and early
intervention to a situation that could escalate into a threatening situation.
This includes not
making excuses or overlooking insults, verbal aggression, and other behaviors
that exhibit anger and frustration
People do not go
directly to anger; there is a progression
Pay attention to what is
said,
Intervene early
“Someone ought to
____________.”
“I could
_____________________.”
“I’m gonna
__________________!”
Use of the personal
pronoun is a good indication that the individual has made a plan to carry out
the threat.
Respond
Response can include
reducing or eliminating a source of irritation and using techniques to
de-escalate the situation.
Recognizing and
Responding to Behavior
Anxiety
– initial phase of agitation, behaviors may include restlessness, pacing,
inability to focus, frustration, dissatisfaction.
Your Response–empathetic and active listening; no judgment, dismissing or
mitigating the individual’s feelings or perceptions. It is important to validate
the person’s feelings.
Defensive
– highly volatile state exhibiting verbal belligerence and hostility;
challenging authority, unable to respond to rational content of words; responds
instead to tone, personal space and body language. Verbal aggression may
include ethnic slurs and disrespectful or belittling comments.
Your Response– set clear, simple, reasonable and easy to enforce limits
in an objective manner without being threatening; convey that the individual has
a choice. It is important to not lose a professional hold of the situation.
Tension Reduction
– physical and emotion release; behaviors include apologetic, emotionally
withdrawn, fear, confusion, frightened,
Your Response-- therapeutic rapport or communication is usually well
received. Re-assure the individual that no one will harm them. Allow time for
the individual to calm down before transporting. Explain what will happen next,
allow the individual to make choices; form a verbal contract.
Acting out
– behaviors include total loss of control; verbal aggression may turn to
physical aggression, physical assault may be directed toward others, self or
environment
Your Response– physical intervention should only be used as a last resort
and never punitively. Non-injurious restraint techniques are therapeutic.
Report
Employees should report
any behavior which is threatening or violent, for example:
exaggerated tone of
voice, screaming or yelling throwing objects name calling and use of derogatory
statements berating individuals in the presence of others use of expletives and
foul language aggressive movement, gestures, actions
-
Call UTMB Police at extension 2-1111.
-
Describe location and events.
Give your name.
-
Give a complete subject description for responding officers.
-
Notify immediate supervisor or department head
-
Use the Patient Safety Net to report all acts or threats of violent
behavior
How to Use the UHC
Patient Safety Net to report acts of violence
An act of violence is an
act of violence - It does not matter who “hit first”
Report threats, acts
and potential violent and unacceptable behavior
•
Click on the PSN icon on the desk
top screen or go to the link at the UTMB Home Page.
1.
Populate all fields as you would for any other Patient Safety concern
2.
For Question 11, “Event type”, select “other”
Assault by staff
Assault by patient
Assault by visitor
3.
Proceed with completing the information as required
•
Using the PSN will allow UTMB to
track trends and better understand areas of vulnerability.
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