Violence Prevention in Health Care Facilities Act - Trinitas Hospital

Violence Prevention
in
Health Care Facilities Act
Revised: BW/September 2010

Violence is an escalating problem in many
health care settings. Recognizing this the
New Jersey State legislature created the
Violence Prevention in Health Care
Facilities Act.

Workplace Violence
A “credible” verbal or physical threat of
violence, harm or damage to either a
person or property.

Early Warning Signs of Violent
Behavior
• Increases in an individual’s s stress level
• An unresolved workplace complaint or
grievance
• An unresolved patient concern or
complaint
• Exhibits of excessive belligerence
• Excessive increase in the tone of voice
• Increasing anxiety level

Examples of Violent Behavior
• Argues frequently
• Use of profanity or verbally assaults
• Throws objects, slams fists
• Refuses to follow instructions
• Threatens, Intimidates
• Intentionally damages, destroys, defaces,
vandalizes or wastes property of others
• Physically attacks, assaults, harasses

How to Handle Threats and Violence
Angry or Hostile Customer or Co –Worker
• Stay calm. Listen attentively.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Be courteous. Be patient.
• Keep the situation in your control.
• Signal a co-worker or supervisor that you
need help. Do not make any calls yourself
in front of the person who is out of control.
• Report the incident as soon as possible to
your supervisor.

Person Shouting, Swearing, and
Threatening
• Signal a coworker or supervisor that you need
help. Do not make any calls yourself in front of
the person who is out of control.
• Maintain an open path to an exit. Do not let the
out of control person stand between you and
the door.
• If the person does not calm down or help does
not arrive, leave quickly and call for help.
• Even if the situation is resolved, be sure to make
a report of the incident.

Phone Bomb Threat / Code Yellow
• Keep Calm… Keep Talking…Don
Don’t t Hang Up.
• Signal a coworker to get on an extension.
• Ask the caller to repeat the message and write it down.
• Repeat questions if necessary.
• Ask where the bomb is and when it is set to go off.
• Listen for background noises and write down a description of them.
• Write down whether it’s s a man or a women. Make notes on the pitch of
voice, accent and anything else you hear or notice about the callers
lers
speech or background noises.
• Try to get the persons name and exact location, telephone number.
• Signal a coworker to immediately call security (Williamson Street
Campus: Ext 4141, New Point Campus: Ext 3616/ Off Site 911, then
security at Williamson Street Campus: 908-994
994-5020)
• Notify your immediate supervisor.

Dangerous Person Outside of Building
• Call security immediately (Williamson Street Campus: Ext
4141, New Point Campus: Ext 3616, Off Site 911, then
security Williamson Street Campus: 908-994
994-5020). You
can also contact security via the Emergency phone
number Ext 5050. Give security the best description you
can of the individual and / or vehicle.
• Notify your immediate supervisor.
• Assist security by informing occupants in the area of
danger and stay out of the danger area if possible.
• When the situation is resolved, be sure to assist security
with making a report of the incident.

Threat with Weapon / Code Silver
• Stay calm. Stall for time. Maintain eye contact. Quietly signal for help.
• Keep talking, but follow instructions from the person who has the e gun
(weapon).
• Do not try to grab the weapon or do anything else that would risk k harm to
yourself or others.
• Watch for a possible chance to escape to a safe area.
• If you walk into a confrontation, be still and quiet if you cannot get out
safely.
• If you hear gunshots or other sounds of trouble try to position yourself
under something if you cannot escape. Avoid unnecessary movements.
Shooters often just “shoot anything that moves” if they are completely out
of control.
• When the situation is resolved, follow the instructions of police, support
others who are hurt or scared by the event. Take advantage of any
counseling/debriefing that may be offered if necessary. Be sure that
someone makes a report of the incident.

Reporting Workplace Violence
• All employees have a duty and responsibility to report all such
circumstances to their immediate supervisor.
• A workplace violence report is to be filled out by the employee with
their immediate supervisor.
• The supervisor will then forward the report to their department
director.
• The department director will retain the pink copy for their records,
rds,
forward the white copy to Human Resources, and forward the
yellow copy to the Security Department.
• Human Resources and the Security Department will review,
investigate and take action if needed regarding the incident.
• Human Resources is responsible to communicate the outcome.