WALLINGFORD – On Friday, June 7, 2024, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) will join hospitals across the state and nation in observing the eighth annual Hospitals Against Violence #HAVhope Friday to raise awareness about the violence faced by healthcare workers and the ongoing commitment and efforts by hospitals to end all forms of violence in healthcare workplaces and communities.
Violence is one of the nation’s major public health and safety issues. #HAVhope unites hospitals, health systems, nurses, doctors, and other professionals from across the country, as well as the local and national organizations with whom they work, to raise awareness of violence through digital, social, and traditional media.
“Connecticut’s compassionate and dedicated healthcare workers deserve our respect and gratitude,” said Jennifer Jackson, CEO, CHA. “The violence that has been experienced by healthcare workers is unacceptable. Healthcare workers are uniquely and disproportionately at risk of workplace violence. We need to make it clear violence won’t be tolerated.”
Connecticut hospitals, through CHA, have adopted a Statewide Patient and Family Code of Conduct Policy, a common set of principles being implemented in a unified effort by hospitals to further their extensive work to protect healthcare workers and the patients in their care and raise awareness about the importance of workplace safety in healthcare settings.
“Connecticut must not let up on efforts to ensure the safety of every person in hospitals across the state,” said Paul Kidwell, Senior Vice President, Policy, CHA. “Connecticut hospitals have worked for years to support safe workplaces for caregivers and patients alike. Adopting a statewide policy makes it even clearer that Connecticut hospitals are united against violence, and will not let up on their efforts to ensure the safety of every person in hospitals across the state.”
Nationwide, healthcare workers are uniquely and disproportionately at risk of workplace violence. Studies indicate that in the last two years, 44% of nurses reported being subject to physical violence and 68% reported verbal abuse (AHA). The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates healthcare workers accounted for 73% of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illness due to violence in 2018 (April 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics Fact Sheet). In 2022, there were 1,948 reported incidents in Connecticut of violence in hospitals, and hospital staff were the victim in 100% of the incidents reported.
Connecticut hospitals have implemented policies to address workplace violence through multiple different approaches. As required by state law, all licensed healthcare facilities have established workplace safety committees including management and staff to conduct risk assessments, develop a plan, and meet regularly to implement and modify the plan as required. Connecticut hospitals and health systems are identifying patients at risk for intentional harm to themselves or others and taking steps to mitigate this risk, and they are recognizing environmental safety risks for patients and staff and making changes to reduce the occurrence of incidents. They are also providing ongoing education and training to staff and volunteers on crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques and approaches to ensuring personal safety.
Last year, the Connecticut General Assembly adopted Special Act No. 23-29, which aims to raise awareness about preventing violence against healthcare workers and opportunities for the state to support hospital investments in security infrastructure. This year, protections for healthcare workers including home care workers were also advanced in Public Act 24-19. Congress is also considering ways to better protect healthcare workers nationwide through federal policies including the SAVE Act.
Click here to read the Statewide Patient and Family Code of Conduct Policy
