Violence in the workplace is an unfortunate reality in many sectors. This issue is prevalent and growing in Canadian healthcare environments, where threats and incidents of physical assault remain an all-too-common risk for healthcare professionals.
The issue is well-known within Canada’s healthcare community. 61% of nurses in a national study by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions reported “a serious problem with violence” over 12 months, two-thirds of which said the incident led them to consider leaving their jobs. Moreover, the study found that violence-related lost-time claims for healthcare workers increased by almost 66% over nine years, triple that of police and correctional service officers.
There are many drivers behind healthcare facility workplace violence. Some incidents are a result of rising tensions among hospital patients and visitors. Others are a result of working with patients suffering from mental health issues. Operating in jurisdictions with high crime rates, working in inadequately secured facilities, or having gaps in staff training can also be contributing factors.
A protective eye
While it’s vital to understand why violence may occur in a healthcare setting, exploring ways to keep healthcare professionals safe and promoting a culture of continuous improvement is equally important. Here is where body-worn cameras have, and will continue to, play a key role.
As Axis Communication reports, security and clinical staff are turning to body-worn camera solutions to “better document, assess, and respond to violence in their workplaces.” Moreover, Axis concludes the use of body-worn cameras has been shown to serve as an effective visible cue to all parties that interactions are being watched and recorded.
“By adding wearable devices, staff have reported decreased events, restraints, and other interventions due to security and clinical staff announcing they are recording the event. By warning the patient or visitor their interactions are recorded, it reduces the incidences of violence and provides for documentation in case of the need for prosecution,” the company explains.
Successful application of body-worn cameras has been witnessed in numerous jurisdictions. For example, a study by the National Health Services of Great Britain revealed that the use of body-worn cameras contributed to reducing violence against nurses, clinical staff, and healthcare facility users. Specifically, it notes hospitals in the United Kingdom have reduced workplace violence by 28 percent due to implementing wearable video solutions.
Learning from real-world experience
Beyond providing greater oversight and a visual deterrent, body-worn cameras can augment workplace violence training. The ability to capture and review violent incidents provides healthcare professionals with real-world examples that staff and trainers can use to share and learn from their experiences.
In an ideal world, the need for workplace violence solutions would be non-existent. The ongoing threat of physical harm in healthcare facilities has increased the demand for proven violence deterrents.
Visit www.axis.com to learn more about Axis Communications and its body-worn camera solutions for healthcare professionals.
