By the Numbers – Workplace Violence

DID YOU KNOW?

The prestigious New England Journal sets out interesting facts and statistics. Their review concludes healthcare is the most dangerous profession for women to work. Almost entirely are women the objects of assault and violence in their profession. The review included data from the (B.L.S) showing healthcare workers are nearby four times as likely to require time away from work as a result of violence. The (B.L.S.) keeps a grim list, the Census of  Fatal Occupational Injuries. In 2014, homicides accounted for 8 percent of all workplace deaths and 8 percent of workplace death for men. They accounted for 19 percent of workplace deaths for women, a very close second behind transportation accidents at 20 percent. When men are murdered at work, it’s most commonly in the course of a robbery, but for women, it’s more likely to be someone they know that is husbands, boyfriends and exes. The review also reported that, although employees in the healthcare and social assistance sectors account for 12.2% of the working population (and despite there being the potential for underreporting in other industries), nearly 75% of workplace assaults occurred in a healthcare setting. There are other notable statistics:

• 80% of Emergency Medical Services personnel have been attacked by patients.
• Homicide is the second leading cause of workplace death for home healthcare workers.
• 78% of Emergency Department physicians and 100% of Emergency Department nurses have experienced violence from patients within the last year.
• The annual incidence of physical assault in a psychiatric setting is 70%.
• Among nursing homes with dementia units, 59% of nursing aides reported being assaulted by patients weekly and…