In a bipartisan vote, the Oregon State Senate voted to pass the Oregon Health Care Worker Protection Act (Senate Bill 823) April 22. The act offers critical protections for nurses and other health care workers who are exposed to a growing epidemic of violence in hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities. Nationally, one in four nurses are physically assaulted every year and health care workers suffer four times more serious injuries from workplace violence than other private sector workers.
The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) developed the Oregon Health Care Worker Protection Act with support from hospitals and other statewide health care organizations.
“Nurses and health care workers are punched, kicked, groped, grabbed, choked, slapped, spit on and threatened with alarming regularity,” said Nancy MacMorris-Adix, a certified nurse midwife and co-chair of ONA’s Cabinet on Health Policy. “This can’t continue. We must do more to protect the people who care for us in our most vulnerable hours. The Oregon Health Care Worker Protection Act is necessary to help stop the violence and keep caregivers and patients safe.”
The Oregon Health Care Worker Protection Act is a critical first step to stop violence against health care workers. The act would make four major improvements to state law.
Increases Transparency: It allows nurses and other health care workers to review heath care facilities’ workplace violence reports to ensure security issues are addressed.
Strengthens Security Plans: Requires health care facilities to establish comprehensive violence prevention plans and conduct regular safety reviews using recognized standards.
Creates Team-Based Solutions: Ensures nurses and other frontline workers who are most at risk for violent incidents are part of the safety teams which create and implement workplace violence prevention plans.
Protects Workers’ Right to Report: Reinforces workers’ right to report violent incidents without fear of employer retaliation.
“No one should work in fear, wondering if they’re going to become a victim,” said Cheryl Cosgrove, an intensive care nurse and member of ONA’s Cabinet on Health Policy. “Workplace violence is often predictable and preventable. By increasing transparency, strengthening security and adding nurses’ voices to safety reviews, the Oregon Health Care Worker Protection Act will help prevent violent attacks so nurses can concentrate on our patients.”
The Oregon Health Care Worker Protection Act will move on to the Oregon House of Representatives for further consideration.
