Massachusetts Nurses Push For Law To Protect Them From Patient Violence

Massachusetts Nurses Push For Law To Protect Them From Patient Violence

The proposed measure would require hospitals and other employers to implement workplace violence prevention programs.

Nurses are advocating for the Massachusetts state legislature to adopt a law that would require their workplaces to design and implement programs to protect them from violence.

In mid-July, nurses traveled to Beacon Hill, the state capitol building, to testify about the bill and the rise of attacks on nurses throughout the country.

“Violence against caregivers is rampant," Kathy Stokes, a registered nurse in Boston, said, according to Boston 25 News. "As a nurse and as a profession, we should not sit back and let things continue."

The proposed legislation gained new life after a survey conducted by the Massachusetts Nurses Association in 2016 found that more than 85 percent of nurses report being physically or verbally assaulted by patients on the job. Some of the healthcare workers who testified said they had suffered split biceps, back injuries and more after being attacked by patients.

“At one point I had my back to the patient then next thing I knew she had hit me and knocked me to the ground," nurse Deb Falk said.

The bill, titled “An Act Requiring Health Care Employers to Develop and Implement Programs to Prevent Workplace Violence,” would require hospitals and other employers to put safety measures in place to prevent attacks from happening. The nursing association supports the measure, but an industry group says the proposal could be “detrimental” to employers’ efforts to increase workplace security.

“We believe the proposed bill being heard before the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security (S. 1427/H. 1416) would duplicate, and in some cases conflict with, existing processes and requirements," the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association told The Metro West Daily News in a statement. "We are currently working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure safe hospital environments, and this type of conflict and confusion could be detrimental to the progress of these conversations.”

The hospital association instead supports a measure that creates new statewide standards for addressing safety risks in hospitals and making sure its members have workplace prevention programs that meets those standards.

But Karen Coughlin, the vice president of the nurses association who has worked as a nurse for over 30 years, said hospitals have been slow to acknowledge the problem. She thinks the original measure, sponsored by Reps. Denise Garlick and Kimberly Ferguson, could actually have an impact on nurses across the state.

"Without legislative action, hospitals and other health care facilities are under no obligation to put the measures in place that will help to mitigate workplace violence," Coughlin said during the legislative hearing, according to Boston 25 News. "That is why we are taking action."

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Trends Transforming Access Controller Technology

    Mercury Security, a provider in access control hardware and open platform solutions, has published its Trends in Access Controllers Report, based on a survey of over 450 security professionals across North America and Europe. The findings highlight the controller’s vital role in a physical access control system (PACS), where the device not only enforces access policies but also connects with readers to verify user credentials—ranging from ID badges to biometrics and mobile identities. With 72% of respondents identifying the controller as a critical or important factor in PACS design, the report underscores how the choice of controller platform has become a strategic decision for today’s security leaders. Read Now

  • Overwhelming Majority of CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Over the Next Three Years

    An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security. Read Now

  • ASIS International Introduces New ANSI-Approved Investigations Standard

    • Guard Services
  • Cloud Security Alliance Brings AI-Assisted Auditing to Cloud Computing

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment, today introduced an innovative addition to its suite of Security, Trust, Assurance and Risk (STAR) Registry assessments with the launch of Valid-AI-ted, an AI-powered, automated validation system. The new tool provides an automated quality check of assurance information of STAR Level 1 self-assessments using state-of-the-art LLM technology. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.