HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY NEWS (CONTINUED) Expecting the Unexpected: Responding to Unpredictable Behavior


Staff working with people pursuing recovery from addictions must be prepared to expect the unexpected and respond rationally when the inconceivable happens. Maintaining professionalism in moments of chaos is key in building therapeutic rapport. It is also important to remain calm, to refrain from bringing up the past and to ensure you are sending the message that you are concerned about the person’s safety and well-being. When intervening verbally with someone who is under the influence, it is important to keep your messages short and simple so the individual is better able to understand that your immediate goal is to help maintain safety. When the incident is over, a purposeful debriefing is key to preventing future incidents and it should be used to indentify and discuss more productive replacement behaviors. Additional strategies include: separating the escalating person from others, never assuming you are safe, having access to escape routes, using a team approach, and avoiding physical intervention if possible. Remember, behavior is communication, and unpredictable behavior has a root that may help you to predict its path, intervene earlier and prevent crisis in the future.


To read more, click here


Survey Shows Nurses' Staffing, Workplace Violence are Key Concerns A statewide survey of registered nurses conducted by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals shows that nurses are still concerned with staffing in their facilities, with most nurses reporting they have much less time to spend with their patients than in prior years. The survey was administered to 25,000 regis- tered nurses and included questions about patient safety, work environment and job satisfaction. The survey revealed that 80% of direct care nurses believe that minimum nurse-to-patient ratios should be followed in acute-care hospitals and other facilities and 46% of all nurses feel that threats to their safety and workplace violence are issues on their unit. In addition, "respect" and "nurse-to-patient ratios" were most commonly cited work environment factors that would substantially improve overall job satisfaction.


To read more, click here


Ask Women About Partner Violence, Panel Says A new report suggests doctors should screen all of their female patients for signs of partner violence, whether face-to-face or through a waiting room questionnaire. The review of the current evidence on screening for partner abuse, from researchers at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, is the first step toward new recommen- dations on screening from the government-sponsored United States Preventive Services Task Force. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to three in 10 U.S. women have experienced rape, stalking or physical violence by a partner. Other studies suggest as many as half of women will experience psychological aggression from an intimate partner at some point in their lives. While many doctors are typically trained in how to screen for signs of partner violence, not as many know what to do next, in terms of helping women avoid future abuse.


"By even asking a few questions, it sends a message to patients that this is something they can talk about with their doctor," Dr. Heidi Nelson, the study's lead author.


To read more, click here


WORKPLACE VIOLENCE NEWS Dealing with a Stalker


Virtually any unwanted contact between a stalker and their victim which directly or indirectly communicates a threat or places the victim in fear can generally be referred to as stalking. Because stalking is a serious, potentially life-threatening crime, all states now have some kind of law against stalking. Coupled by the Internet and the wealth of information that people publish online, stalkers now have a pool of information at their disposal. Take a look at your Facebook profile, LinkedIn profile, websites that you belong to, etc. and imagine a stranger collecting informa- tion about your life. According to the National Institute of Justice, 87% of known stalkers are men and odds are, you know him or have met him before. Almost 80% of women who have reported stalking (continued on page 10)


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18