Healthcare workers seek help preventing violence in the workplace

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – It’s dangerous to work in a hospital and it’s not just because of germs or viruses. Hospital workers across the country are increasingly the victims of violence.

“Verbally assaulted. We’ve been hit, slapped, kicked, punched. Having our own equipment thrown at us,” Emergency Nurses Association President Chris Dellinger said.

Dellinger and other healthcare leaders came to Capitol Hill and spoke about the difficulties healthcare workers are facing.

“We no longer are just a place of healing because now we have to worry about our own safety and our other patients’ safety as well,” Dellinger said.

A 2018 report from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics said healthcare workers were six times more likely to be attacked in the workplace than other private sector workers.

“Since the pandemic, we’ve actually seen an increase in violence,” Dellinger said.

Katie Boston-Leary with the American Nurses Association says these cases are frequently going unreported. She is calling on Congress to pass two bills to address the issue.

“We’re pulling the alarm right now, that this is something we have to contend with right now,” Boston-Leary said.

One bill would make violence against healthcare workers a federal offense. The other creates a federal standard for hospital safety and offers protection for employees who report incidents.

“Even if we move the dial 20% from where we are today, it would be huge, right? We’re not looking for a 100% solution right away, because we know that this is a multi-layered, complex issue,” Boston-Leary said.

Healthcare experts fear, if nothing is done, the uptick in violence will cause more nurses to leave the profession.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.