(photo) Sen. Martin Praises United Effort to Stop Violence Against Healthcare Workers

For Immediate Release

Sen. Martin Praises United Effort to Stop Violence Against Healthcare Workers

Sen. Henri Martin (R-Bristol) today applauded the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) on its adoption of a Statewide Patient and Family Code of Conduct Policy as part of the association’s continued work to reduce violence against healthcare workers.

The common set of principles will be implemented in a unified effort by hospitals and health systems across the state to further their work to protect healthcare workers and the patients in their care.

“The best ideas for legislation always come directly from the people,” Sen. Martin said.  “After meeting with nurses and administrators from Bristol Hospital, we realized that there were no consequences for violent behavior towards a healthcare worker. So we introduced this legislation. It seeks to discourage aggressive or violent behavior toward any healthcare provider in any healthcare setting. We rely on nurses, doctors, hospital staff, and administrators when we are most vulnerable.  So this law is the first step towards guaranteeing healthcare worker safety. It’s a significant hospital safety reform. I thank CHA for creating this policy. This is a team effort to make our hospitals safer and to protect our healthcare workers. And the work continues.”

“It is critical that we share this unified message with the public so that all patients, visitors, and workers know what is being done to build on safety and prevent violence,” said Kurt Barwis, CEO, Bristol Health and Co-Chair, CHA Workforce Sustainability Task Force. “We are going to continue our work with the legislature, building off of legislation approved this year that aims to raise awareness about preventing violence against healthcare workers and increase opportunities for the state to support hospital investments in security infrastructure.”

Nationwide, healthcare workers are uniquely and disproportionately at risk of workplace violence. The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates healthcare workers accounted for 73% of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illness due to violence in 2018 (April 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics Fact Sheet). In 2022, there were 1,948 reported incidents in Connecticut of violence in hospitals and hospital staff were the victim in 100% of the incidents reported.

Earlier this year, the Connecticut General Assembly adopted Special Act No. 23-29 which aims to raise awareness about preventing violence against healthcare workers and opportunities for the state to support hospital investments in security infrastructure. Congress is also considering ways to better protect healthcare workers nationwide through federal policies.

To read the Statewide Patient and Family Code of Conduct Policy click here.

Attached Photo: Sen. Henri Martin speaks at an Oct. 20 press conference announcing the adoption of a Statewide Patient and Family Code of Conduct Policy as part of the state’s work to reduce violence against healthcare workers. At far right is Bristol Health CEO Kurt Barwis.