* EC: OSHA & Worker Safety: Assault Halt OSHA and The Joint Commission offer guidance and resources to curb workplace violence (PDF) [REF: EC, LD, RN] EC News, April 2016, Vol 19, #4, Pg 5 JCe1604_B4

This article essentially makes 3 key points.
#1 – “Every health care organization is at risk for occupational violence of varying degrees.”This point is underscored by the fact that “nearly three out of four workplace assaults occurred in health care and social service settings” in the two-year period of 2011 to 2013.
#2 – “Reducing on-the-job aggression risks and incidences…requires a focused effort”. More specifically, the article recommends that organizations develop and implement formal violence prevention program.
#3 – The authors further recommend that an organization develop its violence prevention program using the tips and tools made available in OSHA’s (new) online portal, Worker Safety in Hospitals and OSHA’s Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers. The portal compiles “a suite of resources to help you build and implement a comprehensive workplace violence program”. The Guidelines, originally published in 2013 were updated in 2015 and describe five key components of an effective workplace violence prevention program (see comments for more details).
In addition to the forgoing points, the article briefly identifies some common situations associated with increased risk for aggressive incidents (e.g., lifting, moving, and transporting patients; working with individuals who have a history of violence)
It also recommends a number of other prevention strategies and violence prevention training for staff such as that provided in the free NIOSH course for nurses entitled, Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses (CDC Course No. WB1865 – NIOSH Pub. No. 2013-155)
Tip: establish and/or review baseline rates for staff and patient injuries at your facility.  If the rates are not decreasing, consider establishing a formal violence prevention program utilizing the OSHA resources recommended in this article.
Tip: nursing leadership should consider encouraging participation in the free (with 2.6 hours of CE credit) NIOSH course referenced above.
See also: RTN1311_B10_SPECIAL: Preventing Violence in the Health Care Environment
See also: RTN1309_Free, online course trains nurses to recognize, prevent workplace violence