{"id":1655,"date":"2018-04-15T09:58:00","date_gmt":"2018-04-15T09:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wimetest.com\/blog\/?p=1655"},"modified":"2022-04-28T14:15:23","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T21:15:23","slug":"workplace-bullying-in-healthcare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildirismedicaleducation.com\/blog\/workplace-bullying-in-healthcare","title":{"rendered":"Dealing with Workplace Bullying in Nursing and Healthcare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
EndNurseAbuse #timesup #met<\/strong> | Text PLEDGE to 52886<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n by Anja Grimes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Physical and verbal abuse against nurses is a serious problem<\/strong> in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings across the country. The likelihood of healthcare workers being exposed to violence is higher than prison guards or police officers. One in 4 nurses has been assaulted at work. That\u2019s not okay<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs on the job<\/em>. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, patients, supervisors, and visitors. Workplace violence is a major concern for employers and employees nationwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In December 2017, the American Nurses Association (ANA) launched the #EndNurseAbuse initiative to increase awareness of the serious problem of physical and verbal abuse against nurses and to encourage individuals to stand with nurses and pledge to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While nursing is a profession dedicated to helping others, the highly charged nature of many of the environments in which nurses work can lead to situations where emotions boil over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Incivility, bullying, and violence in the workplace are serious issues in nursing<\/strong>. Incivility is \u201cone or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them.\u201d The ANA defines bullying as \u201crepeated, unwanted, harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the recipient.\u201d Such acts of aggression\u2014be they verbal or physical\u2014are entirely unacceptable whether delivered by patients or colleagues. These incidents not only have a serious effect on the wellbeing of the nurse in question but also their ability to care for their patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are four types of violence that nurses and other healthcare providers might face in their work environment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important to remember that none of the scenarios above are restricted to physical violence; verbal and psychological abuse can be just as damaging to nurses and their ability to care for patients. All types of abuse fall within the scope of ANA\u2019s anti-workplace violence agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Workplace violence in hospitals and other healthcare facilities has been shown to be very costly. For example, at one hospital, 30 nurses required treatment due to physical assault at a cost of $94,156 per nurse ($78,924 for treatment and $15,232 for lost wages in one year).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Violence can also lead to other less obvious costs<\/em>, such as caregiver fatigue, injury, and stress, all of which are tied to a higher risk of medication errors and patient infections. Studies have found higher patient satisfaction levels in hospitals where fewer nurses are dissatisfied or burned out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Injuries and stress are common factors that drive some caregivers to leave the profession. The estimated cost of replacing a nurse is $27,000 to $103,000. This cost includes separation, recruiting, hiring, orientation, and training. Some estimates also account for lost productivity while a replacement is hired and trained (OSHA, 2015).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the healthcare sector, persistent workplace violence has been under reported and, some may say, basically ignored. Lack of support from hospital administrations and the judicial system both present a major obstacles. Police and prosecutors do not necessarily feel that this is a big issue unless an individual is very severely injured, even though there are felony laws in place. Healthcare workers who report attacks often say that acceptance of and tolerance for violence runs through the administration, law enforcement, and the court system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A study of emergency department nurses described supportive and sympathetic supervisors but passive hospital administrations. About half the nurses in the study said the hospital took no action after they were assaulted<\/em>. In another 20% of cases, the perpetrator was only issued a warning. Ten percent of nurses said they were blamed for the incident. Other studies suggest that more than half of physical assaults on nurses and up to 80% of verbal abuse goes unreported (Speroni et al., 2014). Hospitals with mandatory reporting policies, on the other hand, experience half the rate of physical violence as those without such policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best protections employers can offer their workers is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence<\/em>. This policy should cover all workers, patients, clients, visitors, contractors, and anyone else who may come in contact with company personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By assessing their worksites, employers can also identify methods for reducing the likelihood of incidents occurring. OSHA believes that a well-written and -implemented workplace violence prevention program\u2014combined with engineering controls, administrative controls, and training\u2014can reduce the incidence of workplace violence in both the private sector and federal workplaces. This can be a separate workplace violence prevention program or can be incorporated into a safety and health program, employee handbook, or manual of standard operating procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is critical to ensure that all workers know their facility\u2019s policy and understand that all claims of workplace violence will be investigated and remedied promptly. In addition, OSHA encourages employers to develop additional methods as necessary to protect employees in high-risk industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best protections employers can offer their workers is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n A key element of organizational policy is to take seriously all reports of workplace violence and to address them appropriately. Management should to be committed to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Employee involvement in workplace violence policies is also an important element in addressing this problem and should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victims of workplace violence should report the incident to their supervisor or management immediately. They may also contact the following resources for further assistance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about this important topic, take our 3-contact-hour CEU course on Workplace Violence<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sign up for our newsletter email list<\/a>\u00a0and like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0to be among the first to know about all our special discounts and offers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wild Iris Medical Education, Inc., is a privately held, woman-owned company providing online healthcare continuing education. In 1998, we began offering online ANCC-accredited\u00a0nursing continuing education<\/a>\u00a0courses and since then have expanded to provide CEUs for occupational therapists, physical therapists, paramedics, EMTs, and other healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accredited and Approved Nationwide.<\/strong>
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\n\n\n\nWhat Is Workplace Violence and Where Does It Occur?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nWhat Are the Types of Workplace Violence?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat Are the Costs of Workplace Violence?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nZero-Tolerance Policy for Workplace Bullying<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nA Management Commitment to Reducing Violence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Workplace Violence and Employee Involvement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reporting Workplace Violence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/SLTC\/workplaceviolence\/<\/a>
https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/Publications\/OSHA3826.pdf<\/a>
https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/Publications\/osha3148.pdf<\/a><\/li>
http:\/\/p2a.co\/t84cVfR<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nAbout Wild Iris Medical Education:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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High-quality CEU Courses since 1998.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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