Authors (including presenting author) :
Lo L(1)(2), Lo KT(1)(2), Chan Y(1)(2), Ng CP(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Safety and Health Team, Kowloon East Cluster, (2) Human Resource Division, Kowloon East Cluster
Introduction :
Patient-to-staff workplace violence (WV) poses a significant challenge as one of the challenging types of injury-on-duty (IOD) due to its unpredictable nature. This year, the Kowloon East Cluster (KEC) OSH Team noted a peak in WV IOD cases, prompting the necessity for a more effective approach that engages staff. In response, the OSH Team invited stakeholders from various backgrounds, including WV subject personnel, experienced colleagues, security personnel, and mid-management, to develop comprehensive and neutral solutions. This initiative seeks to leverage the strengths of colleagues in areas such as patient monitoring, environmental assessments, restraint techniques, and management strategies. Furthermore, integrating colleagues into the delivery of post-IOD care is a vital component of this approach, which includes providing prosecution assistance and mental health support through designated liaison officers and the KEC Critical Incident Psychological Services.
Objectives :
1. To reduce WV IOD cases by enhancing staff engagement and program initiatives. 2. To foster a greater sense of caring and security among colleagues through a staff engagement approach.
Methodology :
A multifaceted approach centered on staff engagement, specifically targeting units that experience recurring incidents (defined as two or more incidents within a month) through a structured framework supported by OSH committees. 1. Enhancing risk assessment: Risk assessment is essential for accident prevention. A thorough re-evaluation of risk assessments should be conducted by the concerned unit soon to ensure ongoing effectiveness and comprehensiveness. Additionally, stakeholders will assist units in conducting risk assessments as further IOD incidents occur. 2. Reinforcement Training: All colleagues in affected units are required to refresh their knowledge through WV training to maintain awareness of WV risks. This will facilitate supervisors in conducting practical demonstrations, coaching junior staff, and performing compliance checks. Moreover, support from security will be sought for specialized restraint training. The group of stakeholders will also plan to review the entire training structure to establish a practical framework. 3. Scenario Drills: These drills simulate past IOD incidents and supplement regular training exercises. This initiative aims to enhance preparedness and provide a "second chance" for experiential learning to test training effectiveness. Security colleagues have played a critical role in this process, participating in most drills alongside other experienced stakeholders who collaborate to observe, provide feedback, and optimize responses through comprehensive documentation and management strategies.
Result & Outcome :
Through this engagement-based approach, stakeholders recognized the need to address the challenge collaboratively, marking a milestone in KEC’s WV IOD management hence to facilitate the completion of respective protocol. The project achieved a successful outcome, evidenced by active participation from colleagues and stakeholders, resulting in a 49% decrease in the monthly average of WV IOD by comparing January to July 2024 data and after the project begins, from August to December 2024.
