AdventHealth Littleton- Workplace Violence Prevention Program

AdventHealth Littleton identified a need to increase awareness and reporting of workplace violence (WPV) incidences, and to provide staff with robust and meaningful training regarding identification of patients and visitors at risk for violence. Additionally, AdventHealth Littleton recognized that staff training was also needed for de-escalation techniques and strategies.

AdventHealth Littleton’s WPV prevention program was refined to include the following practices:

• One hundred percent of health care workers and security staff received WPV prevention training, which was standardized across all campuses.
• Health care workers staffing high risk areas were given additional “hands-on” WPV prevention training.
• Patients found to be at risk for violence were identified in the EHR and an identifier was placed on the door that would be recognized by staff only.
• The identifier served to allow staff to press pause before entering the room and to think more carefully about needed conversations and interactions with the patient.
• Flags also aided security staff in knowing where to round.
• AdventHealth Littleton held shift huddles where WPV incidences and patients at risk for violence were addressed and discussed and reporting of WPV issues was encouraged.
• Health care workers were supported when WPV incidences were reported to law enforcement and security staff aided staff in the reporting process.
• When health care workers had to meet with law enforcement regarding WPV incidences, support staff accompanied them to the appointments so they would not be alone during the process.
• Health care workers were given paid time off (not drawn from PTO balances) to attend proceedings.
• Health care workers involved in a WPV issue participated in an incident debrief and were offered support and counseling.

AdventHealth Littleton’s WPV prevention program enjoyed several successes to include an increase in staff awareness and reporting of WPV incidences. Staff report that they feel better equipped and confident in dealing with WPV issues and in utilizing de-escalation techniques in tense situations. But perhaps the most striking is a gradual change in the workplace culture that WPV is never ok.

To learn more about the WPV prevention program, please contact Colleen Lodewyks, MSN, RN, CEN, at [email protected] or Rick Boyer, MPH at [email protected].