While doing their critical duties, healthcare workers are exposed to a bevy of challenges and difficulties — one of which is workplace violence (WPV) — which can endanger their physical and mental health. WPV is a threat to healthcare workers’ safety and well-being, and it’s a rampant problem, especially in the US. To keep healthcare workers safe and ensure that quality care is provided to patients in need at all times, it is of prime importance that healthcare organizations address this growing problem.
This article discusses WPV, its different kinds, and what healthcare facilities and organizations can do to mitigate this threat and keep healthcare professionals safe, healthy, and satisfied at their jobs.
What is workplace violence (WPV)?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines WPV as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site.”
WPV involves a wide range of problematic behaviors and conduct, including threats, intimidation, and physical assault. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are four WPV categories:
· Type 1: Criminal intent. This type of WPV occurs when the offending party has no legitimate connection or relationship to the business or its employees. An example of this type of WPV would be when there is a robbery in the workplace.
· Type 2: Client-on-worker. This happens when the perpetrator is a client of the healthcare professional, such as a patient, a patient’s family members or friends, or other visitors. This is the most common type of WPV in healthcare environments. In fact, healthcare professionals in emergency services are often at the most risk of physical violence.
· Type 3: Worker-on-worker (horizontal or lateral violence). This kind of WPV occurs when a healthcare professional experiences verbal and emotional abuse from a fellow employee via abusive behavior such as bullying, discrimination, and public humiliation. Although it’s more common for new nurses or healthcare professionals in more subordinate roles to experience bullying, but even healthcare managers are not immune to abusive behavior. In one 2018 study, 60% of nurse managers, directors, and executives experienced bullying in the workplace. In the same survey, 26% of the respondents considered the bullying they experienced as severe.
· Type 4: Personal relationship violence. This occurs when the wrongdoer has a personal relationship with the healthcare worker outside of work. When this type of WPV occurs, the healthcare professional’s work performance is affected.
The impact of WPV on healthcare professionals
WPV has many devastating short- and long-term consequences. Professionals suffering from verbal abuse can develop chronic stress, self-esteem issues, and mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also cause individuals to self-isolate and withdraw from colleagues, friends, and loved ones or even abuse substances.
Aside from the mental and physical health impact of WPV on healthcare workers, it can also gravely and directly impact patient care. Healthcare professionals who are exposed to verbal abuse and physical violence from patients and visitors are prone to experiencing emotional exhaustion that can affect patient safety. Based on one study, verbal abuse happens more frequently compared to physical violence, however, it’s reported less often.
Additionally, workplace violence via bullying behaviors can bolster job-related stress and dissatisfaction not just in healthcare workers experiencing abusive behaviors but also in those witnessing them happening in the workplace. A 2021 research discusses how morale and employee retention are negatively affected as a result of workplace bullying. When this happens, healthcare professionals become distracted, which increases the likelihood of errors.
How to prevent workplace violence in healthcare facilities
To prioritize healthcare workers’ and patients’ safety and overall health, healthcare organizations must address WPV. The following are some effective measures that facilities can adopt to reduce violence in the workplace:
· Establish a zero-tolerance policy against WPV
When there are policies in place that can prevent WPV and allow employees to report any abusive behavior, employees experiencing WPV will feel supported, heard, and protected. Victims of WPV will be able to come forward while maintaining their privacy and confidentiality and seek remedial courses of action. Organizations must ensure that employees understand the zero-tolerance policy against WPV and hear out each complaint with empathy and discretion.
· Encourage employees to step in and speak up when they witness WPV
Employees who witness bullying happening in the workplace should feel like it’s safe for them to take proactive measures to stop WPV and report problematic behavior to managers and other healthcare leaders. Healthy intervention and de-escalation methods, as well as creating a channel for proper reporting, can create a culture of safety among healthcare professionals and reduce the chances for bullying and violence to occur.
