COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Violence against hospital staff is on the rise, and Kootenai Health is taking steps to address the issue. A 2023 survey shows that simple assaults in hospitals more than doubled from 2012 to 2022, prompting NonStop Local to investigate how local hospitals are managing the situation.
NonStop Local sat down with Kootenai Health leaders to discuss the challenges they face and the measures in place to protect staff and patients.
Safety for hospital staff has always been a concern, but the conversation surrounding clinical violence is becoming more urgent. Mental Health Specialist Kimberly Windsor explained that violence against hospital staff is not new but they are prepared. She showcased the technology staff are using. “And if you hit this button it actually will make a noise and everyone will come running,” Windsor said.
Lisa Bunker, Chair of the Workplace Violence Committee, emphasized the importance of preparedness. “We have a code gray,” she said. Windsor added, “…and security will come and our unit will know something is going on.”
Kootenai Health has implemented in-depth training and procedures, including walkie-talkies with a “man down” button for staff in the psychiatric unit. However, preparedness cannot always prevent incidents. Bunker noted, “In the last 12 months there have been 235 incidences of clinical violence at Kootenai Health,” with seven requiring significant medical attention.
The Workplace Violence Committee at Kootenai Health focuses on defining clinical violence and implementing training for staff, including verbal de-escalation and situational awareness. “The hopes behind that class is that if we see a situation escalating we’re able to intervene before it translates to something bigger where violence is actually happening,” a staff member stated.
According to the American Hospital Association, up to 76% of U.S. healthcare workers have reported experiencing violence on the job. Bunker said, “Specifically nurses have the biggest impact for clinical violence.”
Ensuring staff feel safe at work is crucial for their mental and physical health. “Security is essential for staff retention and for staff just feeling safe coming to work,” Bunker emphasized. Windsor and Bunker also highlighted the importance of staff looking out for one another. “It helps us feel a lot safer. Cause you never know. We have certain patients that are very unpredictable,” Windsor said. She added, “I would say, not to sound very cliche, but if you see something, say something.”
NonStop Local also reached out to Providence and MultiCare for this story. Providence declined to speak, while MultiCare is still reviewing the request.
For more information on national trends: Alarming Rise of Workplace Violence Forces Healthcare Workers to Rethink Safety.
