In response to the high rate of workplace violence at hospitals, the Connecticut Hospital Association announced a new code of conduct policy for patients and families on Friday.
The new patient code of conduct will apply to 27 of Connecticut’s acute care hospitals that belong to the association, reports MyRecordJournal. It will also apply to several health systems that provide inpatient, outpatient, office-based, and home care services.
Although the new policy does not say what the consequences will be should patients or their families violate the code of conduct, it will prohibit aggressive or violent behavior, threats, verbal abuse, including discriminatory language, sexual harassment, and the possession of weapons.
“Adopting a statewide policy makes it even clearer that Connecticut hospitals are united against violence and will not let up on their efforts to ensure the safety of every person in hospitals across the state,” Association CEO Jennifer Jackson said in a press conference.
Jackson said the new code is intended to address intolerance against healthcare workers, saying employees can’t do their jobs effectively when they are constantly dealing with unacceptable behaviors. However, the new code of conduct won’t apply to patients who are unable to control their behavior.
Healthcare workers account for 73% of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses due to violence, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The updated code follows last year’s warning from the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that hospitals must protect their employees and patients from violence that is increasingly happening at healthcare facilities.
