Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital – Culture of Care & K-9 Program

Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, like other hospitals, noted the increase in verbal and physical workplace violence (WPV) incidences directed against health care workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care workers account for nearly 75 percent of WPV injuries and illnesses. Additionally, health care workers are five times more likely to suffer job violence than private sector workers.

Due to the issues regarding WPV, Intermountain Health became very active in engaging health care workers, patients and their families, visitors, and community members in conversations about the importance of creating a #CultureofCare. The #CultureofCare programs seek to ensure health care workers safety through education, training, and system enhancements and innovations, while also focusing on increased staff reporting of WPV incidents.

Additionally, an innovative K-9 program has been established at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction. The K-9s are trained not only to protect in life-threatening situations, but also to provide comfort and emotional support for health care workers, patients, and their families, as well as visitors.

Some early successes/achievements include:

• Staff have received robust training in de-escalation and defense techniques and tactics.
• Post education, there has been an increase in WPV awareness and reporting.
• Post implementation K-9 program:
  • WPV occurrences decreased by 30 percent.
  • Health care workers satisfaction scores have increased due to an improved sense of safety due to the K-9 program.
  • Due to the success of the pilot K-9 program, there are plans to expand the program to additional care sites.

To learn more about this program, please contact Susie Bourgeois, director of public safety and security, at [email protected].