Safety Tips for Hospital Workers
Safety Tips for Hospital Workers
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Washington, DC, offers these safety tips for hospitals workers to prevent workplace violence:
Watch for signals that may be associated with impending violence
- Verbally expressed anger and frustration
- Body language such as threatening gestures
- Signs of drug or alcohol use
- Presence of a weapon
Maintain behavior that helps diffuse anger
- Present a calm, caring attitude.
- Don’t match the threats.
- Don’t give orders.
- Acknowledge the person’s feelings (for example, "I know you are frustrated").
- Avoid any behavior that may be interpreted as aggressive (for example, moving rapidly, getting too close, touching, or speaking loudly).
Be alert
- Evaluate each situation for potential violence when you enter a room or begin to relate to a patient or visitor.
- Be vigilant throughout the encounter.
- Don’t isolate yourself with a potentially violent person.
- Always keep an open path for exiting; don’t let the potentially violent person stand between you and the door.
Take these steps if you can’t defuse the situation quickly
- Remove yourself from the situation.
- Call security for help.
- Report any violent incidents to management.
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