Unique Challenges for Behavioral Health Providers in Protecting Health Care Workers While Balancing the Needs of Patients
This Feature Article is brought to you by AHLA's Behavioral Health Task Force.
- July 01, 2020
- John C. Ivins Jr. , Hirschler
- Kathleen Pankau , The Joint Commission
- Emma P. Pelkey , Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith
As front-line health care workers battle the COVID-19 pandemic, a silent epidemic of violence against them continues to rise. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 75% of all workplace assaults happen to health care workers, making it one of the most dangerous professions in the United States. Certain settings, such as the emergency department (ED) and psychiatric units, are particularly vulnerable. Recent surveys show 78% of ED physicians reported being targets of workplace violence in the past year, and 75%–100% of nurses on psychiatric units reported being assaulted by a patient at some point in their career.1
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