Health Care Work Place Violence

Vontresa Blog: 5

            There are many ways that work place violence can occur. Often time’s workers do not see the violence coming until it is upon them. People often look at work place violence as someone coming from the outside into the inside and committing a crime against workers. Violence often occurs on those who are providing direct care such as; nurses, certified nurse’s assistants and the orderlies.  There are few times when those in administrations faces the threats those who are providing direct care faces. Yes, there are times when workers are upset with human resources or ex co-workers are retaliating against a former boss. Over half of these workers that provide direct care has came into contact with some type of violence. There are times when family members feel as though their love one have not been treated properly such as in the case with my Grandmother that causes one to latch out in frustration yet it is violent. The U. S Department of Justice stated that workplace seems to be the fastest growing violence in our country.

            Most violence occurs in healthcare settings and social services industries because these industries deal with people livelihood. It is good for the workers in these environments to have been adequate trained to help deter some of this violence that occurs. I have a friend up North who encountered a violent patient in the hospital that left her severely injured and fighting for her life. I often tell her that she had a lot to do with it because she does not hold back on what she says. A patient got angry with her because he said she was not gentle in giving him his shot. She stated that he should be thankful that he received a shot ad before she could turn around he was all over her. It took a while for the doctors and nurses to realize what was happening to her. Since then, if a patient is upset or seems upset, security has to stand outside the door. But that was a little too late for her, yet, it could save the life of someone else.

I speak on this because as a Public Administrator we will come into contact with all types of people and especially with working with those who are mentally challenge. Working in the Emergency Room and coming into contact with all types of people it is very wise to stay observant even with co-workers who maybe overworked and is always complaining about how stressed out they are. Nothing should be taking for granted because the life one save maybe his/her own along with many more. 

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/violence.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZmmti-rL90&list=PL444559124027BB6D