WEEKLY UPDATE: 06/04/26
This Friday, June 5, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) will join hospitals across the state and nation in observing the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) 10th annual Hospitals Against Violence (HAV) initiative. This Friday marks a decade of the #HAVhope National Day of Awareness, which elevates the work being done to combat violence in and around hospitals and health systems.
Hospitals, policymakers, and community stakeholders are continuously work together to address workplace violence, through enhanced security measures, staff training and de-escalation programs, reporting and response protocols, public awareness messaging, and policies aimed at protecting healthcare workers.
While these efforts represent important progress, workplace violence remains an ongoing challenge across the healthcare sector nationwide. Continued collaboration, investment, and advocacy are essential to strengthen prevention strategies and support all healthcare workers, including caregivers affected by violence.
Through CHA, hospitals adopted a Statewide Patient and Family Code of Conduct Policy in 2023, reinforcing a unified commitment to maintaining safe, respectful, and inclusive care environments. The policy clearly outlines what will not be tolerated, including aggressive or violent behavior, discriminatory language, actions that may be perceived as sexual harassment, and the possession of weapons of any kind in hospital or health system facilities.
Connecticut hospitals have established workplace safety committees with management and staff to conduct risk assessments, develop a plan, and meet regularly to implement and modify the plan as required. Hospitals are also implementing measures to identify patients who may pose a risk of harm to themselves or others, addressing environmental safety concerns to reduce the likelihood of incidents, and providing ongoing education and training for staff and volunteers on crisis prevention, de-escalation techniques, and personal safety practices.
Continued work is critical to foster safe environments for caregivers.
Save Healthcare Workers Act
In 2025, congressional lawmakers introduced the Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R. 3178/S.1600), bipartisan legislation that would make it a federal crime to assault a hospital staff member on the job — providing protections like those in current laws for flight crews, flight attendants, and airport workers. By enacting federal protections, Congress can create a powerful deterrent against workplace violence in hospitals and increase penalties for those who harm our caregivers.
CHA stands united with hospitals across the nation urging Congress to advance this legislation.
Related News:
CHA Advances a United Effort to Stop Violence Against Healthcare Workers
