Workplace Violence Policy Review

Trinitas Regional Medical Center

Workplace Violence: bw -11_2015

Learning Objectives

• Identify TRMC Workplace Violence Policies• Summarize TRMC reporting process for Workplace

Violence incidents• Identify TRMC resources for coping with violence

Definitions

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines workplace violence as:– Any physical assault, threatening behavior, or

verbal abuse occurring in the work setting by co-workers, patients, visitors or persons from outside.

• OSHA defines the work setting as:– Any location, either permanent or temporary

where an employee performs work-related duties.

Why Report Incidents of Workplace Violence?

• Reporting of workplace violence events allows TRMC to:– Identify high-risk areas– Evaluate methods of decreasing future incidents– Identify training needs– Provide employee access to TRMC services, such

as the Employee Assistance Program, medical treatment and Worker’s Compensation

Policy: Prevention of Workplace Violence

• TRMC has “zero tolerance” for workplace violence in any form.

• Employees have a duty and responsibility to report any identified threat or assault, or circumstance where there is a good reason to suspect that a dangerous situation may exist.– Any threat or assault should be reported

regardless if they are committed by a co-worker, patient, visitor or any other person.

Reporting Threats

• Employees should report any identified threat or circumstance where there is a good reason to suspect that a dangerous situation may exist.– Report to your immediate supervisor or

manager– Document on the

“Employee Injury/Workplace Violence” Report form

Reporting Threats• WSC and NPC employees: If you perceive an

immediate threat or danger to yourself, co-worker, patient or property:

– Call 5050 to activate Code Gray or Code Silver and notify your immediate supervisor.

• Off-site employees: – call 911 and, – after the immediate threat has been

neutralized, contact your immediate supervisor as well as hospital security to report the incident.

Reporting Threats

• The employee’s supervisor, regardless of location, is required to notify their department’s Vice President or Administrator.

• If the event occurs during the off-shift hours, contact the Administrator-On-Call.

The Director of Security• Obtains the Employee Injury/Workplace Violence

Report from the employee and/or supervisor.• Coordinates the process of gathering information

and facts from:– The parties involved, local police (if needed),

Human Resources, legal counsel, and any other individual vital to developing a response to the reported work place threat.

• Communicates to the appropriate parties the outcome of an investigation of reported work place threats.

Confidentiality

• All information regarding the event, the persons involved or persons reporting or witness to the event is kept strictly confidential.

• The information is only discussed with individuals who need to know of the situation in order to help reach a resolution, to avoid violence or as otherwise required to be disclosed by law.

If you have been a victim of workplace violence ~• Complete the Employee Injury/Workplace

Violence Report and follow reporting procedures.

• Injuries should be reported to he Occupational Medicine Department or the Emergency Department during the off-shifts.

• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for consultation, short-term outpatient counseling and referral services.

Preventive Measures• TRMC provides restraint technique training to

all Security personnel.• The Security Department will provide to staff

and visitors, security escorts to parking areas upon request.

• High-risk areas have been identified and staff provided with Versus badges, which when activated, alerts Security to the need for assistance.

• Alert other staff members if a patient exhibits potentially aggressive, abusive or violent behaviors.

Policy: Active Shooter Response

• This policy outlines the TRMC emergency response plan to alert hospital staff of the presence of an active shooter in the hospital or on one of the hospital campuses.

• Active Shooter is defined as a person or persons who appear to be actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in the hospital or on one of the hospital campuses through the use of firearms.

Procedure

• The first employee to identify an active shooter situation:– Immediate responsibility is to evacuate,

taking patients, visitors, and staff along the safest quickest route possible according to hospital evacuation routes.

• TRMC evacuation routes can be found in the Emergency Operations Plan available on the intranet.

Evacuation Routes

If evacuation is unsafe…..

• Shelter in place– Lock down the area as best as possible– Turn off lights– Silence cell phones/beepers, radios

• Call the hospital emergency number 5050 and announce a Code Silver (with location of incident, description of person(s), and type of weapon, if known)

• Off-site employees should call 911

Hospital Security Officers• Assist in evacuation of patients, visitors, and staff• If safe, secure the area if not already completed.• Respond to the generator station and await

instruction• Relay information to the Elizabeth PD using 911• Traffic control – assist with stopping all traffic flow

into the hospital area with the exception of emergency responders

Code Blue Teams

• Code Blue teams are not to enter the area until it has been declared safe to do so.

If you are not able to leave the area safely….

• Lock and barricade doors or windows

• Turn off lights• Block windows, close blinds• Turn off radios, cell phones,

beepers etc.• Keep out of sight and take cover

(behind concrete walls, thick desks, filing cabinets)

• Have one person call 5050 and state: (your exact location – “We have an active shooter in the hospital, gunshots fired.”)

If you are outside and encounter an active shooter, you should…• Move away from the active shooter or the

sound of gunshot(s) and/or explosions(s)• Look for appropriate locations for

cover/protection (brick walls, retaining walls, parked vehicles, etc.)

• Call 911 and state: (Give your exact location – “We have an active shooter at the hospital, gunshots fired.”)

When Law Enforcement Arrives…• Remain calm and follow instructions• Put down any items in your hands (i.e. bags, jackets)• Raise hands and spread fingers• Keep hands visible at all times• Avoid quick movements toward officers such as holding on

to them for safety• Avoid pointing, screaming or yelling• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when

evacuating

When Law Enforcement Arrives…

• The Emergency Operations Center or Security Command Center will provide all relevant event details– Staff may be asked to supply the EOC

with a list of patients or staff known to be in the area of the incident

In Summary…

• Evacuate– Have an escape route and plan in mind– Leave your belongings behind– Keep your hands visible