Battling healthcare’s rising trend: workplace violence

Stemming patient and staff injury in healthcare environments involves more than preventing falls and infections. The alarming rise in violence faced by healthcare providers has forced hospitals and health systems to focus on a critical yet often overlooked issue in healthcare—workplace violence.

Entitled “Tackling Workplace Violence in Healthcare,” the latest Key In To Quality podcast episode, features Mayo Clinic experts, Casey Clements, M.D., Ph.D. and Sarayna McGuire, M.D., who work as emergency medicine consultants. Together, they explore the complex factors contributing to violent incidents, their impact on staff well-being, and innovative strategies for creating safer healthcare environments.

Listeners will learn about various forms of violence in healthcare, including microaggressions, verbal abuse, and physical confrontations. The discussion reveals a 47% rise in healthcare violence over the last five years and shares firsthand accounts from clinicians. It challenges misconceptions that violence is confined to psychiatric settings. The podcast also highlights Mayo Clinic's initiatives in violence prevention through community partnerships, reporting tools, and technology like passive weapons detection.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

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Focus on Staff Ergonomics: Preventing injuries, boosting productivity

Many healthcare jobs are physically demanding. Few things slow patient care and negatively impact productivity and financial performance than on-the-job injuries. Prevention is the key.

In the latest episode of Key in to Quality podcast entitled “Staff Ergonomics: Keeping care givers in ‘fighting form’,” guest Nick Smith, CPE, ergonomist, Staff Safety, Mayo Clinic, sheds light on how proper ergonomic practices can prevent injuries, boost productivity, and enhance the overall well-being of staff members. Smith, a former medical officer in the United States Navy, says keeping ranks healthy by implementing ergonomics can create a safer, more productive work environment. He offers valuable advice and practical resources for navigating the complexities of ergonomics.

The session is ideal for healthcare leaders, staff and occupational safety leaders and staff, ergonomics professionals, and employee wellness professionals.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality

In today’s high-pressure healthcare environment, the well-being of patients and staff is paramount. Yet, a growing concern is emerging within hospitals across the country—rude and violent behavior from patients and visitors that disrupts the quality of care and threatens the safety and morale of healthcare professionals.

In the latest Key In To Quality podcast entitled “Addressing Abusive Behaviors in Healthcare: A Deep Dive,” guest Richard Elias, M.B.B.S., M.D., consultant, Hospital Medicine, and vice chair, Complex Behavior Committee, Mayo Clinic, dives deep into this critical issue, shedding light on the toxic behaviors that are often dismissed or overlooked, and exploring the profound effects they have on healthcare providers.

In this episode, Dr. Elias along with the podcast hosts explore the troubling rise of abusive behaviors in healthcare settings by sharing showcasing real-life scenarios. By bringing these situations to life and discussing the issues, they aim to foster a deeper understanding of the human cost of such behaviors and spark a conversation about how they can be effectively addressed.

The session is ideal for healthcare leaders, providers/clinicians, security personnel, human resources team members, patient grievance and regulatory staff, and accreditation personnel.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality