Measure to prevent violence in hospitals picks up amendment, new interest

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A measure directing Ohio hospitals to develop safety plans as well as protocols for reporting violent incidents is drawing support. But a recent amendment doesn’t address some of the biggest asks presented by health care workers.

The bill and the amendment

Health care providers say they’re seeing a dramatic increase in workplace violence. And they worry about a vicious cycle, as understaffed hospitals breed patient frustration, and the resulting outbursts only encourage more providers to leave the field.

Ohio nurses, doctors call for legislation to prevent violence in health care settings

To that end, state Reps. Andrea White, R-Kettering, and Rachel Baker, D-Cincinnati, put forward House Bill 452 which requires hospitals to create security plans with input from frontline health care providers and to develop systems for reporting violence when it occurs. The bill further mandates hospitals post signage warning visitors violence won’t be tolerated and directs health and higher education officials to figure out if students are getting enough training in de-escalation.

Supporters in the health care community applauded those steps while urging lawmakers to go further. The Ohio Nurses Association argued hospital units should have a minimum number of staffers trained in de-escalation tactics, and that it should be a felony to assault health care workers with bodily fluids.

The amendment White introduced last week didn’t take them up on those recommendations, but it did include a few others.

“These are things that have been suggested and we wanted to be responsive,” she explained. “(The amendment) requires the team that develops the hospital security plan to include at least a patient or former patient of the hospital or family member of a patient (and) at least 50% of the members are health care employees that are direct line.”

The changes also allow hospitals to post notices about violence with physical or digital signage and gives them flexibility in the exact phrase of their warnings. The bill would also require hospitals to inform new hires about the incident reporting during new hire orientation.

After losing a daughter, Smith family pushes for Ohio nurse staffing legislation

More people weigh in

Thus far, no one has voiced opposition to White and Baker’s bill. Recently the Smith family, whose youngest daughter Tristan was a nurse who died by suicide, added to the chorus calling for greater safeguards at hospitals.

Tristan’s father, Ron Smith, and sister Sarah Smith, technically spoke as interested parties rather than supporters of HB 452.

Still, Sarah made it clear the status quo is unacceptable.

“Our nation’s health care system is broken, and it broke my sister,” she said. “Her passion for nursing had turned into a nightmare. She was in trouble. Nurses are in trouble. Female nurses commit suicide at twice the rate of the general population. We need to do better.”

Sarah read her sister’s “letter to my abuser,” which speaks to the nursing profession as if it were an abusive romantic partner. At several points in the letter, Tristan referenced her fears about workplace violence and her frustrations with the inadequate response of hospital leadership.

Ron called the letter “a stark reminder that our health care system is failing those who stand on the frontlines.”

“Our nurses deserve to feel safe at work,” he said. “They deserve laws that protect them security measures that safeguard dam and health care administration that values their lives as much as the lives they save.”

The family has put its efforts behind a different piece of legislation, HB 285, mandating minimum staffing nurse to patient staffing ratios. Researchers argue it’s a regulatory move that improves safety and morale, while saving hospitals money in the long run by reducing turnover. They also contend those kinds of protections could bring back nurses who previously left the field.

Hospitals, however, vehemently oppose the top-down approach. In the short term they would likely have to hire a lot of new nurses, and industry groups contend they’re already having a tough time recruiting.

Ron urged committee members not to stop with HB 452 but to support HB 285 as well.

“Let us ensure,” he said, “that no other family has to endure the pain of losing a loved one because we failed to act.”

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. You can reach them on the phone at 988 to speak with a trained listener or visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services. Help is also available through The Crisis Text Line. To text with a trained helper, text SAVE to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.

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