Workplace Violence A Growning Problem in Healthcare Industry

Beth A. Slagle, Esquire
bas@muslaw.com

Healthcare professionals are among those workers with the highest risk of experiencing violence in the workplace.  A 2010 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that 60% of all workplace assaults occurred in a health care setting, nearly three quarters of which were by patients or residents.

Nurses who work in emergency rooms, psychiatric wards and home health care settings are at the highest risk of assault.  A November 2011 survey from the Emergency Nurses Association showed that nearly 13 percent of nurses experienced physical violence in a one-week time period, and more than half reported verbal abuse.  Healthcare employers must therefore be extra vigilant about protecting their staff from violence. 

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This article originally appeared in the March 2013 issue of Western Pennsylvania Healthcare News.  Please click here to read Beth's full article and to learn more about workplace violence in the healthcare industry.

For more information on this topic, please contact Beth Slagle at bas@muslaw.com.