Lisa Dixon, MD, Director of Health Services Research, University of Maryland, introduced a topic of increasing concern and a topic often discussed by many departments but seldom have in place firm decisions on how to control risk and minimize potential disasters in our work environments.An important place to start is with a clear definition of psychosis and the many diagnoses that branch off from this basic illness. By far, the numbers show that violence increases or the risk of violence increases with substance abuse. Those respondents with a “significant mental illness” plus a problem with substance abuse clearly need additional monitoring and support. We don’t need to stereotype patients but definite precautions are required and well-defined policies understood to keep the work environment safe both for the patient and for hospital employees.
Wanda Binns, MSW, Manager, University of Maryland, reviewed how an effective EAP provides a front line defense against violence in the workplace and is a key component to providing a healthy work environment for both patients and employees. When policies are written and communicated they provide both strength and boundaries for professional staff and help to reduce the possibility of potential conflict. Without policies we are not setting the standard of professional behavior and invite opportunities for employees to set their own level of expected behavior. The use of EAPs is one of the best tools to transition employees thru difficult issues both in their personal lives and in the challenges of work.
George Economas BS, Director of Internal Security, Johns Hopkins Institution, reviewed how the security officers in their institution responded to a very unfortunate crisis with a patient who killed both his parents and himself one fateful afternoon. Mr. Economas was very clear that the major lesson they learned was the importance of immediate communication with the public, the government, and the hospital employees to ensure the safety of all concerned and to help reduce the high level of anxiety that will explode with such a terrible event. Subsequent developments have included again the writing of safety policies and the proper training of staff to strengthen the bonds of trust between the professional staff and the community at large.
(Article by by Dan Hogge. Dan is the administrator of the University of Utah Department of Psychiatry.)
