Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Reducing Violence in Hospitals
January 24, 2017
Doctors, nurses, orderlies, and other healthcare professionals dedicate themselves every day to providing quality, compassionate care to hospital patients and their families. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in violent behavior directed at hospital staff over the past two years. This violent behavior can affect the level of care a patient receives and can also threaten patient safety. To address this issue, the American Hospital Association has developed a program called Hospitals Against Violence. This web-based initiative provides valuable resources and tools that help end violence in communities.
According to a 2016 survey conducted by the Health Facilities Management and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, approximately 75 percent of respondents reported that security issues have become significantly more challenging over the past two years, including an increasing number of attacks and assaults. The most common incidents include:
- Violence against staff by a patient or family member
- Violent behavioral health patients
- Increased violence in connection with the opioid epidemic
Steps Hospitals Are Taking to Reduce Violence
- Conducting thorough, annual security assessments of the facility
- Developing action plans for workplace violence and protocols to handle active shooters
- Conducting security and risk assessments using the pooled resources of in-house and outside security firms
- Utilizing access control and digital video surveillance systems
- Investing in the following:
- Visitor management systems
- Electronic lockdown from central location
- Tracking equipment using radio-frequency identification
- Medication
In the past, hospital-based violence prevention programs have been successful at reducing violence and lowering health care costs. When hospitals collaborate with community-based programs, they can reach even more individuals and provide much needed support to victims of violence. A number of hospitals are working with communities to address the issue of violence prevention. These organizations are making a difference in their communities by providing things like educational programs, counseling services, and safe housing.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Violence
If you have been injured while receiving medical attention in a hospital, contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. If the hospital was negligent in protecting your safety, we will hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions and pursue the maximum financial compensation. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent clients throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
