Renown Health Stands with Hospitals and Health Systems Nationwide on #havhope Friday

Renown Health, the region’s largest, not-for-profit academic health system serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California, is joining healthcare networks across the country by supporting the American Hospital Association’s violence prevention initiative, Hospitals Against Violence (HAV). Today, team members at Renown are participating in #HAVhope Friday, an annual day of awareness focused on enhancing public awareness of workplace violence and addressing all types of violence within our health system and community.

Held on the first Friday of June annually, #HAVhope Friday brings U.S. health systems together to continue working toward partnerships, innovations and creative thinking to foster peace and make a safer environment for healthcare workers, patients, visitors and the community.

“At Renown, we stand firmly in our commitment to a Zero Tolerance Policy for any form of violence or aggression toward our healthcare professionals. Our caregivers dedicate themselves every day to healing others, and they deserve to do so in an environment of safety, dignity and respect,” said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President & CEO, Renown Health On June 6, #HAVhope Friday, we stand alongside our country’s hospitals to call for an end to workplace and community violence. We call on our entire community to help us keep hospitals and medical offices a space for everyone.”

Renown Health operates with a Zero Tolerance for Violence policy. Under this policy, patients, visitors and employees are expected to always treat each other with kindness and respect while on Renown property. . It is a felony to assault or injure a healthcare professional (OSHA 3148-04R 2015).Any person who physically or verbally attacks another individual at a Renown location is subject to removal and criminal charges or prosecution.

Acts of violence can include the following:

• Physical assault or battery, including grabbing, punching, kicking, hitting, pushing or shoving;
• Sexual assault, including lewd comments or inappropriate touching;
• Verbal or written threats of any kind;
• Anger-related incidents;
• Arson;
• Sabotage or pranks;
• Stalking or unauthorized surveillance;
• Vandalism or property damage;
• Throwing objects.

88% of healthcare professionals have experienced violence of some sort while at work, according to the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. Violence in healthcare systems and our communities is a community health problem, and it’s something we all need to work together to change,” said Melodie Osborn, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, Renown Health. “At every Renown location, all who walk through our doors deserve to always feel safe. It’s important to remember that Renown is a place of kindness, care, compassion and healing; violence has no place in a healthcare setting.”

Renown Health has several systems in place to support and protect employees. For example, new employee orientation includes classes to prepare employees to prevent and de-escalate verbal or physical abuse. Renown also offers ongoing education to train staff to respond to violent situations. If an incident does occur, the Workplace Violence Prevention Task Force reviews incidents and ensures the impacted employees receive resources and counseling, including access to our Critical Incident Stress Management team, to help them process what has occurred. Renown values partnerships with community organizations including local law enforcement agencies like the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Reno Police Department. Renown Health maintains a close relationship with these partners and alerts them when care teams experience violent incidents.

The health and safety of all patients, visitors, employees and community members remains a top priority for Renown on #HAVhope Friday and year-round. More information and resources related to #HAVhope Friday can be found at aha.org/HAVhope.