Workplace Violence in Healthcare

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Course Objectives
  1. Define workplace violence and its relevance in healthcare.
  2. Identify risks specific to phlebotomists.
  3. Discuss prevention, de-escalation, and reporting strategies.
Course Content
Course Creator: Kirsten Hermens, NCMA-P
Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour
Pace Course #:586-2129-25
Course Description: Workplace violence in healthcare is a well‐recognized concern. It includes verbal abuse, threats, physical assault, sexual harassment, and other forms of hostile behavior by patients, visitors, or colleagues. Healthcare workers are among the most at‐risk occupational groups to workplace violence due to their frequent patient contact, often in emotionally charged, high‐stress, or chaotic environments. 
References: 
  1. The Joint Commission. (2018, April 18). Physical and verbal violence against health care workers (R3 Report Issue 45). https://www.jointcommission.org/en-us/standards/r3-report/r3-report-45
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Workplace violence prevention for nurses: What is workplace violence? National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/WPVHC/Nurses/Course/Slide/Unit1_11
  3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Workplace violence. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence
  4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016). Guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers (OSHA 3148-04R 2015). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3148.pdf
  5. American Nurses Association. (n.d.). The 5 types of workplace violence. https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/workplace/the-5-types-of-workplace-violence/
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, May 6). Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFV6dFWtIMY
  7. Hamdan, M., Mahmoud, M. N., Saad, A., & Dalaeen, D. (2023). Prevalence of workplace violence and its implications for doctors and nurses in Palestine: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Occupational Health, 65(1), e12397. https://doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12397
  8. University of California, Davis. (n.d.). What environmental factors affect health? Environmental Health Sciences Center. https://environmentalhealth.ucdavis.edu/communities/what-environmental-factors-affect-health
  9. Arnetz, J., Hamblin, L. E., Sudan, S., & Arnetz, B. (2018). Organizational determinants of workplace violence against hospital workers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 60(8), 693-699. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001355
  10. Balducci, C., Rafanelli, C., Menghini, L., & Consiglio, C. (2024). The relationship between patients’ demands and workplace violence among healthcare workers: A multilevel look focusing on the moderating role of psychosocial working conditions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 178. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020178
  11. American Psychological Association. (2010). Violence & Socioeconomic Status. https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-violence.pdf
  12. Borofsky, L. A., Kellerman, I., Baucom, B., Oliver, P. H., & Margolin, G. (2013). Community violence exposures and adolescents’ school engagement and academic achievement over time. Psychology of Violence, 3(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0034121
  13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Essentials for childhood: Steps to create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/essentials_for_childhood_framework.pdf
  14. Chen, P., Voisin, D. R., & Jacobson, K. C. (2016). Community violence exposure and adolescent delinquency: Examining a spectrum of promotive factors. Youth & Society, 48(1), 33-57. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X13475827
  15. Pollack, J. (2024, September 10). 78 workplace violence in healthcare statistics to know in 2024. Peaceful Leaders Academy. https://peacefulleadersacademy.com/blog/workplace-violence-in-healthcare-statistics/
  16. Phlebotomy Today Blog (2022). Phlebotomists facing verbal & physical abuse by patients. (Summarizes Mayo Clinic Emergency Department study)
    https://www.phlebotomy.com/phlebotomyblog/safety/phlebotomists-facing-verbal-physical-abuse-by-patients.html
  17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Workplace violence prevention for nurses. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/WPVHC/Nurses/Course/Slide/Unit3_02
  18. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2016). Guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3148.pdf
  19. The Joint Commission. (2018). Physical and verbal violence against health care workers (R3 Report Issue 45). https://www.jointcommission.org/en-us/standards/r3-report/r3-report-45
  20. MOAB Training International. (n.d.). About MOAB. https://www.moabtraining.com/
  21. Izzy, S., & Eads, B. (2020). De-escalation in healthcare: A practical approach. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(6), 76-82. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v10n6p76
  22. Bowers, L. (2014). A model of de-escalation. Mental Health Practice, 17(9), 36-41. https://doi.org/10.7748/mhp2014.06.17.9.36.e861
  23. The Samuel Law Firm. (n.d.). The role of documentation in workplace violations: Strengthening the employee’s case for wrongful termination. Retrieved [date you accessed it], from https://thesamuellawfirm.com/the-role-of-documentation-in-workplace-violations-strengthening-the-employees-case-for-wrongful-termination/
  24. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. (n.d.). What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? Retrieved October 30, 2025, from https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/work-life-faq/employee-assistance-program-eap/what-is-an-employee-assistance-program-eap/

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