Mark Boucot, president of Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser, West Virginia, is preparing to install signs at his facility stating that committing a violent act against healthcare workers is a federal crime.
Boucot made this announcement during a press conference held by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). He expressed his readiness to display these signs as a step towards reinforcing protections for healthcare workers.
Several speakers at the press conference advocated for the Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act, also known as the SAVE Act. This proposed legislation aims to make it a federal crime, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, to physically assault a healthcare worker. The bill also includes provisions for exceptions related to disabilities and mandates a Government Accountability Office study on the law’s effectiveness.
Senator Joe Manchin, the bill’s chief sponsor, highlighted the need for similar federal protections for healthcare workers as those provided to workers in aviation and airport industries. He emphasized that the bill seeks to ensure minimum protections without overriding existing state laws. Despite a politically divided Congress, the bill has garnered substantial bipartisan support.
James Phillips, an emergency physician, highlighted the growing issue of violence in healthcare settings, particularly in emergency departments. He pointed out that the increase in violence is contributing to burnout among healthcare professionals and shared personal experiences of violence, including an incident where he was exposed to potential hepatitis C.
Boucot also noted that the rise in methamphetamine abuse is exacerbating violence against healthcare workers. He described incidents at his hospital involving physical assaults on staff, stressing that the current legal framework is inadequate. Chad Golder, general counsel for the AHA, agreed, arguing that a federal law would provide a more effective deterrent and centralized enforcement.
While awaiting the bill’s progress, hospitals are proactively addressing the issue through training programs. Indiana University Health West Hospital, for example, has implemented a “Handle With Care” program to teach staff de-escalation techniques and self-defense. Boucot’s hospitals have established a workplace violence task force to educate and reinforce the message that workplace violence is unacceptable.
