‘He shook her like a rag doll’ Workers fight for national workplace violence standard MANHATTAN — Inadequate training, violent attacks by patients and fear of reporting incidents are some of the situations CSEA members employed in health care facilities hope to correct. Working toward a national standard for dealing with and preventing workplace violence throughout the country in health care facilities, CSEA members and other health care workers recently met with representatives of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Western Region member Korri Spadone and Southern Region member Amie-Beth Morran joined workers from across the state in recounting, often graphically, the number and severity of workplace violence incidents at their facilities. They cited the prevalence of inadequate staffing and training and highlighted an atmosphere where reporting such incidents is commonly discouraged or can lead to retaliation. ‘He shook her like a rag doll’ Spadone, a licensed practical nurse at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, painfully detailed how she was attacked last June by a patient in the hospital’s emergency psychiatric unit where she worked. Spadone was coming to the aid of another employee who a patient had lifted off the ground by her neck. “He shook her like a rag doll,” she said. After throwing her about three feet, he punched and slammed Spadone up against the wall, snapping her head as he continued to beat her. “It took five minutes to get help,” said Spadone. “People who watch the video cannot believe that I survived this attack.” Spadone suffered a number of injuries. She’s undergone two surgeries to repair her shoulder and another to insert pins and screws in her neck. “It never should’ve happened,” said Spadone. “I love my patients, but we don’t have the tools to protect ourselves.” Including Spadone, three workers were injured during that attack, including an assistant who was able to tackle the patient. That worker suffered a bite in the abdomen. The unit had only one security guard for 72 patients. After her assault, the facility added another guard. Western Region Member Korri Spadone, left, and Southern Region member Amie-Beth Morran speak with Walter Vance of the Government Accountabillity Office (GAO) about workplace violence. A national standard In 2006, New York state enacted landmark legislation requiring public employers to develop and implement programs to prevent and minimize workplace violence and help ensure the safety of public employees. CSEA helped lead the fight to enact the law, the culmination of the union’s efforts to end workplace violence following the 1992 murders of four CSEA members employed by Schuyler County Department of Social Services. While New York state’s workplace violence law is seen as a potential model for a national standard, workers at the meeting cited shortcomings and deficiencies that need to be revisited. When the GAO moderator began a discussion on workplace violence by asking the participants if they had participated in any trainings focused on workplace violence prevention, only one out of nine hands went up. Fear of retaliation Inadequate training and fear of retaliation for reporting incidents were also common factors. Morran, a certified nursing assistant at Orange County’s Valley View Nursing Home, was seven months pregnant and working in a unit of 120 geriatric patients with Alzheimer’s when a female patient began violently punching her in the back. “Thank God she didn’t punch me in the front,” said Morran. “We get labeled for reporting it. We are told that the resident is the boss and are expected to give them whatever they want.” Finally, workers also noted that without warning, many of these facilities are receiving patients with violent histories that often require special training and supervision. They insisted in better communication across the board and throughout their agencies to more informed and practical policies and procedures. “There needs to be interdisciplinary meetings to discuss these policies,” said Morran. After getting feedback from OSHA in the fall, GAO plans to issue a report in December 2015 that will be made available to the public. “We hope our report will make a difference,” said Stacey Spence, GAO assistant director. — David Galarza New York’s workplace violence law The 2006 state Workplace Violence Prevention Law requires most public employers to have a written workplace violence prevention plan that is regularly reviewed by labor and management, updated as necessary and enforced at work sites. In essence, employers must: • Develop and post a written policy statement; • Conduct a risk evaluation by examining the workplace for potential hazards related to workplace violence; • Develop a workplace violence prevention program; • Provide training and information for employees and • Document workplace violence incidents and maintain those records. May 2015 The Work Force 9
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