The most prevalent security risk in healthcare and other industries is Workplace Violence.
Strategic Security Management Consulting (SSMC) are Workplace Violence Prevention Experts and provide consultation services for Workplace Violence Incident Response and Recovery.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IN HOSPITALS & HEALTHCARE
Workplace violence impacts healthcare greater than any other industry. In fact, OSHA estimates 70% – 74% of workplace violence occurs in healthcare or social services occupations. There are several workplace violence risk factors that are not present in any other industry. Patients and visitors in hospital environments experience elevated stress from fear of medical procedures, anxiety when waiting for test results, concern over medical bills, and adverse outcomes to patients. The presence of Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse patients contributes greatly to the risk of nurses and other staff from being attacked.
In healthcare, over 85% of workplace violence is committed by a patient or visitor against hospital staff. Astonishingly, 75% of Workplace Violence incidents go unreported. Domestic Violence is also a significant threat to any business environment. In healthcare, 45% of workplace violence homicides are attributable to Domestic Violence.
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WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION EXPERT
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE FACTS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of Workplace Violence in healthcare has risen approximately 40% during the last 10 years. It is anticipated the rates of workplace violence will continue to escalate during the next few years. Victims of workplace violence will miss 1.8 million days of work. Workplace violence in the United States costs businesses $121 billion dollars annually.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE LIABILITY
Employers who fail to provide a safe work environment can be held liable. The average jury verdict from a legal case involving workplace violence averages $3 million. As a result, businesses such as Hospitals, Schools, Hotels, and Retail Stores are often subject to lawsuits.
Consultants at SSMC are experts at workplace violence prevention. It is understood businesses and hospitals may be served with a lawsuit because of a workplace violence incident. When this occurs, SSMC can be retained for services related to Litigation Support, or as a Workplace Violence Expert Witness.
ZERO TOLERANCE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE POLICIES
A word of caution when adopting a “Zero Tolerance” stance on workplace violence. Stating your organization has a Zero Tolerance Workplace Violence Policy is not enough to keep your staff safe. Without a Plan and a “Top-Down” strategy and commitment from your business or hospital’s leadership, workplace violence policies that claim zero tolerance, no matter how well intended, often end up being perceived as empty promises, and can even create a backlash against administration.
SSMC recommends any “Zero Tolerance” workplace violence policy to be backed up by a well thought out plan establishing accountability for the plan’s follow through, how to report workplace violence, and establishing education & training on awareness and de-escalation. The goal is to have your entire workforce take ownership and create a culture of safety.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
SSMC believes your staff should not have to work in an environment of fear. Our consultants are leading Workplace Violence Prevention Experts and Threat Management Consultants. SSMC provides the following workplace violence prevention consulting:
- Workplace Violence Risk & Vulnerability Assessments.
- Regulatory & Accreditation Compliance Audits.
- Workplace Violence Prevention Policy Review & Development.
- Strategic Planning and Implementation of Processes and Safety Measures.
- Physical Security Measures (CCTV, Access Control, Panic/Duress Systems, Mass Notification).
- Developing and Training Threat Management Teams (TMTs) or Threat Assessment Teams (TATs).
- Training and Educating your Workforce.
- Workplace Violence De-Escalation Training.
- Education & Training your Leadership on how to address Threats and Workplace Violence.
- Active Shooter Training.
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.
CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE & RECOVERY
It is not unusual for hospitals and businesses to hire a Crisis Management Response Consultant either during or following an incident of extreme violence. Organizations can experience an 80% loss of productivity in the week following an incident, and there may be pressure on Administration to act.
There are several advantages to hiring a seasoned workplace violence consultant immediately. We have found that many organizations make decisions in the heat of the moment that could have adverse consequences in the long run. We have seen organizations make knee-jerk decisions to implement ineffective security measures or rush to implement armed security without adequate qualifications and training.
The cost of hiring a workplace violence expert is money well spent as consultation can help the organization avoid making costly decisions or mistakes in terms of remediation measures.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE MANAGEMENT
CONSULTANTS AT SSMC ARE SECURITY & WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION, RESPONSE, AND INCIDENT RECOVERY EXPERTS
The Consultants at SSMC are experienced in response and recovery from shootings, sexual assaults and other crimes of violence occurring in your business and hospital. We also have managed many external incidents that may impact your business or hospital, such as the Pulse Nightclub Shooting, Civil Unrest, Union Strikes, and attacks on the organization’s Brand & Reputation.
- Crisis Response & Management
- Threat Assessment & Management
- Critical Incident Recovery
- Risk Mitigation
- Liability Avoidance
- Brand & Reputation Management
- Litigation Support
For more information on Workplace Violence Prevention, Response and Recovery please contact a Workplace Violence Consultant at SSMC or call us at (407) 385-9167.