Posted: | May 2, 2024 02:52 PM |
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From: | Senator John I. Kane |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act |
Violence occurring in the workplace is more prevalent in the healthcare industry than in any other industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers accounted for 73% of all non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses due to violence in 2018 alone (the most recent year for which these statistics are available). In addition, workplace violence has also been linked to a reduction in the quality of patient care in an essential field already stressed by the reduction of qualified healthcare professionals due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Sixty-six percent of members of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) responding to a 2024 internal survey said they have personally experienced violence in their workplace – that’s up from 50% in 2021. Seventy-two percent of respondents said their hospital or facility does NOT do a good job of protecting them from workplace violence. As such, with these alarming statistics in mind, I intend to introduce legislation that will create the Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act. This legislation is a companion to HB 2247 co-prime sponsored by Representatives Leanne Krueger and Bridget Kosierowski. The legislation does the following:
It is important to note that an overwhelming percentage of respondents to the aforementioned survey support the Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act. Consequently, we have a duty to ensure that healthcare workers of this great Commonwealth are afforded a safe, violence free workplace where these heroes and heroines can work and perform their duties without the fear of bodily harm or fear for their personal safety. Please co-sponsor this important piece of legislation. |
Introduced as SB1291