Protecting Health Workers from Exposure to Occupational Violence

Abstract

Workplace violence (WPV) has serious consequences on human resources for health and if not dealt with may lead to lack of productivity, turnover and sub-optimal patient outcomes.→ An alarmingly high prevalence of WPV has been reported (62% verbal abuse and 10 % physical violence among nurses), to which professional burnout and likelihood-to-quit have been significantly associated.→ Despite the alertness of the media and its promptness in shedding light on the matter, recent reports of WPV incidents in hospitals in Lebanon are absent. This can be linked to the problem of under-reporting which is associated with the absence of established reporting systems at Lebanese health care institutions.→ The integration of a section related to the presence and enforcement of antiviolence policies and procedures into the occupational health chapter of the national accreditation requirements of health care facilities in Lebanon has become a necessity.→ The development of anti-violence reporting tools and mechanisms will support and protect health workers.→ The establishment of a multidisciplinary Occupational Health and Safety committee and a national public awareness campaign is needed to shed further attention on this critical matter.