Congress pressed to protect healthcare workers against violence

Editor's Note

Advocates of legislation to make physically assaulting healthcare workers a federal crime spoke out at a recent press conference hosted by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), MedPage Today reported August 2.

The Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (SAVE Act) aims to ensure healthcare workers enjoy the same protections as those in the airline industry. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and Mark Boucot, president of Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser, West Virginia, urged congress to pass the bill. Pointing out that the bill has bipartisan support, Manchin emphasized that the bill would complement—not usurp—existing state laws by providing a minimum level of federal protection, MedPage reports. The bill's House version, introduced by Rep. Larry Bucshon, MD (R-Ind.), includes provisions for grants to train hospital staff on violence prevention and to purchase safety equipment like cameras and metal detectors.

James Phillips, MD, an emergency physician and ACEP representative, shared personal experiences of workplace violence and touched on the impact of methamphetamine abuse exacerbating patients’ aggressive behavior. Chad Golder, general counsel for the AHA, reportedly argued that state-level efforts to address healthcare workplace violence are insufficient. A federal law would provide a stronger deterrent and a centralized enforcement mechanism, making it easier for hospitals to advocate for serious legal responses to violence against healthcare workers.

While awaiting the bill's passage, some hospitals are proactively training staff to manage violent situations, MedPage reports. For example, Indiana University Health West Hospital in Avon, Indiana, has implemented a "Handle With Care" program to help clinicians de-escalate conflicts and defend themselves if necessary. Boucot also reported that his hospitals have established workplace violence task forces to educate staff and promote a zero-tolerance approach to violence, reinforcing that it should not be considered an acceptable part of healthcare work.