Online resource center focuses on violence prevention in health care

Oakbrook Terrace, IL – An online resource center developed by accreditation organization The Joint Commission is aimed at preventing workplace violence in the health care industry.

Resources for health care workers, employers and the public include research, toolkits, presentations, policies and other information addressing issues such as bullying, active shooter scenarios and emergency operations planning.

The resource was created in response to the higher rates of workplace violence in health care settings, the commission stated, citing federal data showing that, in 2013, most workplace assaults that resulted in lost-time injuries occurred in the health care and social services sectors.

“Many of us in health care have witnessed or experienced workplace violence firsthand,” Ann Scott Blouin, executive vice president of customer relations with The Joint Commission, said in a press release. “Workers in health care are five times more likely to be victims of nonfatal assaults or violent acts than the average worker in all other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a result, it is critical that we share key resources with those in the health care community to help them prepare for and address, as well as hopefully prevent, this type of unfortunate situation from taking place.”

The commission, health care organizations, and federal and state agencies provided the resources, and other parties are invited to contribute.