Texas Workplace Violence

The Hospital is Not the 'Twilight Zone'

If I asked you to think about the most dangerous occupations, health care probably would not make your list. However, health care providers face staggeringly high rates of workplace assault and injury. Those providers at greatest risk are those that spend the most time with patients and the public providing care, such as nurses. While certain settings of practice are notorious for their high rates of workplace violence, all health care settings are potential breeding grounds assaults and abuse of health care providers.

You may be thinking to yourself-so what? OK, workplace violence is a problem in health care. There are lots of professions that deal with violence daily, such as police officers, EMS providers, first responders, security guards, government employees. That's right! All of those professions are exposed to high levels and risk of violence. HOWEVER, in the state of Texas they are afforded enhanced criminal protections for assaults with bodily injury and intent. That is exactly what Texas health care providers deserve and are asking for. We simply want the same level of legal protection given to other employment classes that have increased risk because of their job role. (see page "Bill Information" for more detail on the individual bills). We are not asking for "special protection," we are asking for the same protection that is in place for other trusted and respected employment classes at high risk for workplace assault. Several states have already passed similar legislation, and many more are in progress.

In many cases, including my own personal experience, workplace assaults in health care settings are not taken seriously by the criminal justice system. Health care providers are often told..."this happened while you were at work..." as an explanation of why an assailant is not arrested. If I were attacked at Wal-Mart, walking down the street, or working at a restaurant, I have no doubt that the assailant would be arrested. Why is this any different in health care settings?

When you cross the threshold into health care settings, you do not enter "the twilight zone." It is not another dimension of space and time in which the rules and laws of society become suspended. Since health care settings are not parallel universes, why is assaulting a health care provider not taken more seriously? We cannot create a realm of society where crimes can be committed and nothing happens. If that same perpetrator went into the parking lot and broke into a car, or attacked a visitor, or broke into your house, would you want them to go to jail? Absolutely! Criminal behavior should be addressed by criminal penalties. We cannot continue to give people a "free pass" to behave in any manner they choose to because they are angry, intoxicated, grieving, in pain, etc.

With the increasing need for Texas health care providers and the decreasing availability of health care services, it is imperative that Texas legislators make every effort to increase the criminal penalties for assaulting those that are working to help and serve the people of Texas. Hospitals and health care settings are supposed to be a safe haven for everyone where they may receive the best possible care in a protected environment.

Who is protecting the Texas health care providers?

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

WE DID IT!!!

Yesterday, May 21, 2013, HB 705 was voted out of the Texas Senate with no "nay" votes! This means the last step for this legislation to become a law is Governor Perry's signature!

After three long Texas legislative sessions, the bill has finally passed. I had hoped to have the bill include ALL Texas healthcare providers, but this is a great start to protect Texas ER personnel in the same manner as EMS providers in Texas.

To everyone who worked on this bill, made phone calls, e-mails, testified at hearings, and visited lawmakers-THANK YOU!

Thank you to every legislator who voted "yes" to protect Texas ER personnel from workplace assaults.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

So Close...Yet So Far

In the 2011 legislative session great progress was made toward increasing criminal penalties for assaulting a health care provider. Sadly neither bill passed this session, so we will have to try again in 2013. Most states that are successful with this type of legislation take more than one session to pass their bills, so hope is not lost!

SB 295 made it all the way through both chambers to the House floor but died before getting a vote (the last step before going to the governor)!

I am so grateful to the hard work and dedication of Senator Watson and Representative Gutierrez and their respective staff members. Additionally, Mary Leblond with Texas ENA and Jim Willman with TNA were amazing front line resources that worked with the opposition groups to attempt compromise on every front.

It was so sad to see the amount and ferocity of opposition to legislation to protecting health care providers. It is tragic that Texas health care providers are supposed to stand for physical abuse as part of their job. Until something significant changes, the "Twilight Zone" mentality of health care settings will continue. (see page The Hospital Is Not The Twilight Zone).

Sunday, March 20, 2011

TX HB 703 Committee Hearing

HB 703 will have a committee hearing Tuesday, March 22 at 1030am in the John H. Reagan room 120 (15th and Congress, Northwest side of capital grounds).

Now is the time to come out to the Texas Capital and show the committee members that Texas health care providers are invested in this issue. You can testify in support of the bill, or simply show up to show your support. Hope to see you there!

You can e-mail me if you have any questions at tx.workplace.violence@gmail.com

Monday, March 7, 2011

Nurses Day at the Texas Capital

Tomorrow, March 8th, is Nurses Day at the Texas Capital. I going to be attending this event and I will post an update on the day's events. I am proud to say that ending workplace violence is one of the top legislative priorities on the agenda for the Texas Nurses Association along with several other key issues. Nurses will be visiting with their elected officials all day to put a face with the issues that nursing is facing.

I am looking forward to a productive and great day with my fellow nursing advocates. Together we can make a difference!

Monday, February 21, 2011

HB 703 Referred to Committee

Hey everyone! Today HB 703 was referred to the Criminal Jurisprudence committee. This is the next step to getting a hearing. One more step on the journey!

Monday, January 31, 2011

SB 295 Referred to Committee

News today! SB 295 has been assigned to the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security committee. One step closer...next will be a hearing. Watch the blog for a list of members of the Transportation and Homeland security committee, we will need to let them know that we support SB 295!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

On your mark, get set....

GO!

The time is here! The 2011 legislative session is in full swing, and I am so excited that there is legislation proposed to increase criminal penalties for assaulting a health care provider in Texas! Now it's time to get the word out. Check out the blog and pass it on. Together we can make a difference.