This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Kaiser and Highland Hospitals in Oakland, CA.
Unfortunately, healthcare workers know that when dealing with the public in a high stress environment, unpredictable and threatening situations can sometimes occur. According to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), healthcare workers are at six times more risk of workplace violence than all other industries. OSHA also lists “inadequate staffing” as a risk factor for workplace violence, and recommends that workplaces “address staffing” issues to prevent patient violence. So what was Alameda Health System’s response when staff reported increasing violent situations recently?
Did they immediately hire sufficient staff, so that we wouldn’t have to enter unsafe situations alone? So that we could call for help and know that other staff would be around to respond? No, instead of addressing the critical short-staffing that keeps us overworked, burnt-out, and unsafe, Alameda Health System instituted a new policy of putting a warning sign on violent patients’ doors. We need more nurses and staff to support us, not a stack of laminated signs!
Click here to read the article printed in the 05-21-25 Healthcare Newsletter
