5 Key Elements for Reducing Workplace Violence in Healthcare

Creating a Safer Healthcare Environment: Approaches to Workplace Violence Prevention  

The increasing rate of violence and the lack of effective prevention strategies are negatively affecting healthcare settings and their staff across Ireland. Developing a workplace violence prevention programme that focuses on de-escalating disruptive behaviours before they escalate into violence can significantly improve working conditions, reduce staff turnover and encourage quality patient care.

A successful workplace violence prevention programme starts with a solid foundation.

Healthcare organisations must secure management commitment, establish workplace violence committees, engage employees and provide tailored annual de-escalation training to meet their specific needs and risk levels.

As a leading provider of de-escalation training for healthcare, we’ve identified the 5 key components that underpin a successful workplace violence prevention programme:

1. Obtaining Management Buy-In  

To secure management’s commitment to your workplace violence prevention programme, ensure that your organisation’s leaders are aligned with violence prevention policies and workplace safety objectives. They need to understand their roles in supporting these initiatives.

Key strategies for gaining management commitment include:

• Education on programme components
• Access to industry and facility data and trends
• Awareness of improvement opportunities
• Clarification of their roles and responsibilities in violence prevention

2. Forming Workplace Violence Prevention Committees  

Workplace violence prevention committees are crucial for bringing your programme to life. They oversee the implementation of the programme, ensuring it addresses identified risks and keeps policies current.

Start by coordinating your primary workplace violence prevention committee, which should represent various departments, including Health & Safety, Legal, Human Resources, Senior Leadership, Clinical Staff and Social Services.

Diverse representation improves collaboration and boosts system-wide employee participation. The number of committees and their structure may vary depending on your organisation’s size, with some having a single committee and others having multiple subcommittees.

3. Empowering Employee Collaboration  

Engaging front-line staff provides valuable insights into the safety landscape of your healthcare setting. Use surveys and leadership rounds to support a culture of feedback where employees feel safe sharing their experiences.

Surveys can reveal the types and frequency of violence staff encounter and their perceptions of current safety measures. Ensuring employees feel supported by management is crucial for supporting participation and programme success.