You have probably noticed that people are generally nastier, more agitated and more anxious today than in pre-pandemic days. The consequence of this tension has been an increase in violent incidences in healthcare work settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the healthcare and social service sectors experience the most violence of any industry. Even pre-pandemic, a 2018 analysis found that healthcare and social service workers were five times as likely to experience workplace violence than workers overall, and that healthcare workers, specifically, made up 73 percent of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illness due to violence. While complete data specific to the pandemic are not yet available, widespread reporting and early evidence clearly indicate that the pandemic has exacerbated violence against healthcare workers. For example, a survey of registered nurses completed in August 2021 found that 44 percent experienced physical violence and 68 percent experienced verbal abuse between February and June 2020.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to achieve the following:

• Identify and discuss the most common type of healthcare workplace violence and the reasons for it.
  
• Define the difference between a zero-tolerance policy versus an intolerance policy of violence management.
  
• Discuss seven strategies that can prevent, manage and/or respond to violence.