CALM DOWN: Too many N.C. healthcare workers encounter violent patients.

A report from the National Institutes of Health states that assaults on healthcare workers in the United States reached a record high in 2023, with reported assaults increasing by 5% compared to the previous year. Healthcare workers make up 10% of the workforce but experience nearly half of the non-fatal injuries related to workplace violence. Hospitals in North Carolina are implementing training programs to help healthcare workers de-escalate potentially violent situations and create a safe environment. The use of panic buttons in patient rooms and risk assessments are also being utilized to prevent harm to healthcare staff. The state has passed the Hospital Violence Protection Act, which requires risk assessments, law enforcement officers on duty, and de-escalation training in hospitals with emergency rooms. [Extracted from the article]

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