Hospitals are vital establishments housing dedicated physicians and healthcare professionals who attend to individuals’ diverse physical and emotional needs. Prioritizing the safety of those responsible for patient care remains paramount to safeguarding lives. However, it is alarming to note that there have been reported cases of hospitals receiving fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for violent patient attacks on staff members.
Given the escalating penalty costs, understanding the significance of employee safety, OSHA’s role, and potential steps hospitals can take to address this pressing matter.
Recent Cases of Violence in Hospitals
Oregon State Hospital
Violent attacks against healthcare workers in hospitals are an unfortunate reality. Nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals often face challenging and high-stress situations, occasionally leading to patients exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. These incidents pose immediate physical harm and have long-lasting psychological effects on the victims.
Oregon State Hospital has been a major player in neglecting care for its healthcare professionals, racking up $54,180 in fines due to repeated safety violations. This issue in safety violations kickstarted in 2021 when the Lund Report stated that “the hospital had 336 workplace injury cases that forced employees to miss a combined 2,844 days of work.” The concerning trend of neglecting investigations persisted in the first half of 2023, with 240 cases and 1,996 lost workdays reported. Out of these cases, 102 were directly linked to workplace violence. Startlingly, a random sampling of nine cases revealed that only two had been adequately investigated, despite all requiring investigation. The citation and subsequent fines against Oregon State Hospital shed light on broader issues within the system.
Senate President Peter Courtney expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that despite substantial investments in staffing and a state-of-the-art facility built in 2013, the challenges surrounding patient care and staff safety remain. As the hospital strives to balance providing treatment and ensuring the safety of all stakeholders, it must address these concerns head-on to create a supportive environment for staff and patients alike.
Children's Hospital in Ohio
Another distressing example of neglected care for healthcare professionals can be seen at a children’s hospital in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. Department of Labor conducted an investigation prompted by a complaint about unsafe working conditions at the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. OSHA discovered that the hospital failed to adequately protect its workers from violent incidents involving patients, resulting in injuries ranging from concussions to sprains.
Furthermore, the facility was unable to maintain proper records of employee injuries. OSHA issued citations, including proposed penalties totaling $18,000. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the U.S., serves over 1.5 million patient visits annually. The hospital now has an opportunity to comply with the citations, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings.
Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children’s Hospital, a renowned healthcare institution in Houston, has recently been scrutinized for failing to protect employees who work with patients exhibiting behavioral health issues. The investigation by OSHA unveiled a specific incident that occurred on November 10, 2022. An aggressive patient assaulted a security officer, pulling them to the ground by the hair and repeatedly kicking them in the chest and abdomen. The officer, who had responded to an alert, lost consciousness and required immediate medical attention.
This incident exemplified the dangers faced by healthcare workers regularly. OSHA further discovered that Texas Children’s Hospital lacked sufficient policies and procedures to protect employees from physical assaults by patients with a history of violent behavior during medical surveillance and treatment. This deficiency exposed employees to unnecessary risks and compromised their safety. As a result of the investigation, Texas Children’s Hospital faced proposed penalties totaling $15,625.
Montefiore Medical Center
OSHA’s inspection of Montefiore Medical Center was prompted by employee complaints, revealing significant shortcomings in the pediatric emergency department of the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. The investigation determined that employees, including nurses, assistants, technicians, and security personnel, were exposed to workplace violence. Violent incidents occurred during patient observations while restraining patients during assaults or attempted escapes and during the performance of holds or restraints.
These incidents resulted in severe injuries to workers, including broken bones, bites, and neck, back, and shoulder injuries. The injuries were severe enough to cause some employees to miss work. As a result of the inspection, OSHA cited Montefiore for one serious violation under the general duty clause. The proposed penalty amounted to $13,653, reflecting the severity of the breach. The facility also received two other-than-serious violations, with proposed fines totaling $3,902, for incomplete, inaccurate, and untimely injury and illness incident reports.
Gainesville Psychiatric Hospital
OSHA’s investigation revealed that UF Health Shands Psychiatric Hospital employees were exposed to severe injuries resulting from altercations with patients. These injuries included bone fractures and concussions, highlighting the significant risks healthcare workers face when their safety is not adequately protected. In response to the findings, OSHA cited the hospital for a severe violation, stating that the facility failed to provide a workplace free from recognized health and safety hazards that could cause serious physical harm or death. As a result, OSHA proposed a penalty of $14,502, underscoring the severity of the violation and the importance of addressing workplace safety concerns.
OSHA Area Office Director Scott Tisdale in Jacksonville, Florida, emphasized the critical need for employers to remain vigilant in implementing adequate controls and policies to address physical threats as incidents occur or patterns of violent behavior emerge. By prioritizing safety protocols, employers can significantly reduce incidents of workplace violence and improve working conditions for their employees.
Increasing Safety in Healthcare Facilities
Overall, the alarming trend of workplace violence against healthcare professionals in hospitals cannot be ignored. Cases like Oregon State Hospital, Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Texas Children’s Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, and Gainesville Psychiatric Hospital highlight the urgent need to prioritize employee safety and address the shortcomings in providing a secure working environment.
These incidents have resulted in immediate physical harm and long-lasting psychological effects on the victims. It is disheartening to see hospitals neglecting investigations, implementing sufficient policies and procedures, and lacking proper records of employee injuries. The fines imposed by OSHA shed light on the broader issues within the healthcare system that must be addressed. Hospitals must proactively create a supportive environment for staff and patients, including thorough investigations of incidents, implementing comprehensive safety protocols, and maintaining accurate records of injuries.
Employers can significantly reduce workplace violence incidents and improve their employees’ working conditions by investing in adequate controls and policies. Hospitals must recognize that prioritizing employee safety protects their dedicated healthcare professionals and ensures high-quality patient care. Hospitals can foster a culture of safety, well-being, and support by taking decisive actions to address workplace violence, creating a conducive environment for everyone involved in the healthcare process.
Preventing Violence in Your Healthcare Organization
SOS Technologies is dedicated to creating a safer hospital workplace by providing technology solutions that help hospitals both prevent and better respond to workplace violence.
Contact us today to schedule a demo of our SmartSOS platform.