In the heart of New Mexico, the University of New Mexico (UNM) Hospital stands as a beacon of care, yet its healthcare workers face an alarming and persistent threat: workplace violence. Every day, nurses, doctors, and support staff encounter physical assaults, verbal abuse, and intimidating threats, a crisis that has grown more severe over the past decade according to data from the American Hospital Association. This pervasive issue casts a shadow over the noble work of healing, leaving staff vulnerable in environments meant to be safe havens. UNM Hospital, however, is taking a resolute stand against this troubling trend by launching an innovative Workplace Violence Program designed to protect its employees and redefine safety standards in healthcare settings. At a time when the well-being of medical professionals is under intense national scrutiny, this initiative emerges as a critical response, blending policy, technology, and support to address both the prevention of violent incidents and the aftermath for those affected.
Confronting a Harsh Reality in Health Care Settings
The frequency of workplace violence in hospitals is a stark and unsettling truth that UNM Hospital is determined to confront. Across various units, from bustling emergency rooms to quieter inpatient wards, staff report facing aggressive behavior multiple times daily. These incidents span a wide spectrum, ranging from harsh verbal harassment that chips away at morale to outright physical attacks that endanger lives. The emotional toll is profound, as healthcare workers grapple with fear and stress in spaces where they dedicate themselves to saving others. National data underscores this crisis, highlighting a significant rise in hospital violence over recent years, painting a picture of an industry under siege. UNM Hospital recognizes that this is not merely a statistic but a daily lived experience for its employees, prompting a proactive push to reverse this trend and ensure that safety becomes as much a priority as patient care.
Personal accounts from within the hospital walls bring this harsh reality into sharper focus, revealing the deep impact of violence on individual lives. Adelia S. Perea, DNP, RN, CNRN, a seasoned professional at UNM Hospital, recalls a chilling encounter early in her career when she narrowly escaped a violent attack by a patient. The memory of that incident, and the fear it instilled, lingers as a stark reminder of the risks faced by healthcare workers. Historically, such events were often brushed off with dismissive attitudes, seen as an inevitable part of the job. Now, as chair of the Workplace Violence Subcommittee, Perea champions a different narrative, one where violence is neither accepted nor tolerated. Her story is a powerful testament to the need for systemic change, reflecting a broader shift within the hospital to acknowledge and address the trauma inflicted by these encounters, ensuring staff are no longer expected to silently endure such threats.
Changing Mindsets and Strengthening Legal Protections
A significant barrier to addressing workplace violence in healthcare has been the long-standing normalization of such incidents, a mindset that UNM Hospital is actively working to dismantle. In the past, staff who experienced aggression were often met with responses that trivialized their ordeal, suggesting it was simply part of the profession. This outdated perspective is being firmly rejected by hospital leadership and employees alike, who now advocate for a culture where safety is non-negotiable. This shift represents a fundamental change in how the healthcare community views its own well-being, aligning with a growing national movement to prioritize the protection of those who serve on the front lines. UNM Hospital’s commitment to this cause is evident in its policies and programs, which aim to create an environment where every worker can perform their duties without the looming fear of harm.
Legal recognition adds a crucial layer of support to these efforts, reinforcing the hospital’s stance against violence with tangible consequences for offenders. Under New Mexico state law, assault on a healthcare worker is classified as a misdemeanor, while more severe acts like aggravated assault rise to a third-degree felony, and battery is deemed a fourth-degree felony. This framework provides staff with the option to press charges, empowering them to seek justice and sending a strong message that such behavior will face repercussions. UNM Hospital’s zero-tolerance policy aligns seamlessly with these legal protections, ensuring that incidents are treated with the seriousness they deserve. This combination of cultural change and legal backing forms a robust foundation for the hospital’s broader strategy, emphasizing that violence in healthcare settings is not just a workplace issue but a societal concern demanding accountability.
Building a Safer Environment Through Innovation
At the core of UNM Hospital’s response to workplace violence lies its comprehensive Workplace Violence Program, a forward-thinking initiative crafted through collaboration among staff, leadership, security, and the UNM Police Department. This program is not a singular solution but a multi-layered approach that addresses prevention, awareness, and response. Key components include the Workplace Violence Committee and Subcommittee, which play vital roles in gathering data on incidents, raising awareness among employees, and providing targeted training for leaders to identify and de-escalate potential threats. By ensuring that violent encounters are neither overlooked nor underreported, these groups help foster a culture of transparency and action, empowering the hospital to tackle the issue systematically and effectively, with the ultimate goal of reducing the frequency and impact of such events on its workforce.
Technology also plays a pivotal role in enhancing safety within the hospital’s walls, offering innovative tools to protect staff from harm. The Assault Alert system, seamlessly integrated into the hospital’s secure messaging app, enables employees to report violent patients swiftly, marking their charts and rooms to warn colleagues of potential dangers. Physical security measures further bolster this effort, with metal detectors installed in the Emergency Department to screen for weapons, alert buttons on staff badges for immediate assistance, and an extensive network of over 2,000 surveillance cameras monitoring key areas. A dedicated security team, comprising 115 officers under the leadership of Executive Director Felix Funes, remains on constant alert, focused on preventing incidents and responding promptly when they occur. These combined efforts create a fortified environment where safety is prioritized at every level, reflecting UNM Hospital’s determination to shield its employees from violence.
Supporting Staff and Navigating Societal Pressures
Beyond preventive measures, UNM Hospital places a strong emphasis on supporting staff who fall victim to workplace violence, recognizing the profound trauma such incidents can inflict. Within 24 hours of a reported event, affected employees receive comprehensive follow-up care, which includes access to counseling to address emotional distress, medical services for physical injuries, and time off through the Employee Well-Being Program to facilitate recovery. This rapid response ensures that staff are not left to cope alone, affirming the hospital’s commitment to their holistic well-being. Additionally, partnerships with the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s office help ensure accountability for perpetrators, addressing a persistent frustration among employees about repeat offenders who face little consequence. This dual focus on care and justice underscores a dedication to standing by staff in the aftermath of violence.
The hospital also grapples with broader societal factors that contribute to the rise in violence, a challenge that has become more pronounced since the COVID-19 pandemic. Insights from staff, such as Kaitlin Koch, RN, MSN, CCRN, suggest that heightened stress and emotional turmoil among patients and visitors often manifest as aggressive outbursts during hospital interactions. While the precise reasons for this trend remain complex and multifaceted, UNM Hospital strives to balance empathy for those in distress with an unwavering commitment to employee safety. Acknowledging that external behaviors cannot always be controlled, the focus remains on strengthening internal responses through robust prevention strategies and support systems. This nuanced approach reflects an understanding of the intricate interplay between individual actions and societal pressures, ensuring that staff protection remains paramount even amid challenging circumstances.
Reflecting on Progress and Future Steps
Looking back, UNM Hospital took decisive action against workplace violence by implementing a program that addressed both immediate risks and long-term cultural shifts. The integration of legal protections under New Mexico state law provided a critical backbone, ensuring that acts of aggression were met with appropriate consequences. Technological advancements, such as the Assault Alert system, alongside extensive security measures, transformed the physical environment into a safer space for staff. Emotional and medical support for victims stood as a testament to the hospital’s dedication to its employees’ well-being, while partnerships with local authorities reinforced accountability for violent acts. These efforts collectively marked a significant stride toward redefining safety in healthcare settings.
Moving forward, the focus must shift to sustaining and expanding these initiatives to meet evolving challenges. Continuous training and awareness campaigns should remain a priority to keep staff equipped to handle potential threats. Exploring additional technologies and refining response protocols could further enhance prevention efforts. Moreover, fostering dialogue with community stakeholders might help address the societal stressors contributing to hospital violence, creating a broader network of support. UNM Hospital’s pioneering model offers a blueprint for other institutions, suggesting that a multi-faceted approach—rooted in policy, innovation, and empathy—holds the key to ensuring that healthcare workers can perform their vital roles without fear of harm.
