/ en Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:19:41 -0500 Mon, 27 Jan 25 12:18:58 -0600 <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The AHA today sent a letter to executives at HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros. Discovery taking issue with comments made by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=dskdjJJ7bnQ" title="Bill Maher letter">Bill Maher on his sho</a>w last Friday calling for acts of violence against people working in health care. The letter from AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack follows.</p><h2>AHA LETTER</h2><p><em>Bill Maher’s “Eat the Rich” segment on January 24, 2025, included deeply concerning and incendiary calls to murder those working in American health care. While it took Mr. Maher eight minutes to finally condemn the use of violence, when viewers often see only eight second clips, his message was dangerous because it could provoke greater violence. At a time when violence against health care workers is escalating, HBO should be using its powerful platform and profile more responsibly.</em></p><p><em>While we acknowledge that American health care is far from perfect, hospitals play an important role in protecting our communities against violence, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When someone is shot or assaulted, they are rushed to a hospital. Those hospitals – their doctors, nurses, and staff – offer life-saving care to these victims of violence. They heal the bullet wounds, sew the stitches, and offer comfort to families whose loved ones are in the gravest conditions. And when providing this care, these hospitals treat every patient the same, regardless of their ability to pay.</em></p><p><em>I can take a joke. But someone has already paid with their life, and calling for the murder of others is not a joke. Satire and comedic relief are important. But they are not as important as protecting the lives of those on the frontlines of health care. On behalf of America’s hospitals, I hope that HBO will consider its words more carefully when promoting violence against anyone—and especially against those who routinely answer the call to care for those impacted by violence. That, I hope we can agree, is no laughing matter.</em></p><h2>FURTHER QUESTIONS </h2><p>If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at 800-424-4301.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/01/aha-member-advisory-for-hospital-and-health-system-leaders-advisory-1-27-2025.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/cover-aha-member-advisory-for-hospital-and-health-system-leaders-advisory-1-27-2025.png" data-entity-uuid="7f7fb66e-acc4-4d55-8d92-6110e00d17e4" data-entity-type="file" alt="AHA Member Advisory Image" width="682" height="882"></a></div></div></div> Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:18:58 -0600 Workplace Safety /education-events/layered-approach-addressing-workplace-violence <div class="raw-html-embed"> #block-mainpagecontent article > div > div > div.col-md-8{ width: 100%; } .panel-body { display: flex; flex-flow: row; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 10px 10px; } .panel-body>div{ /*border:solid 1px red;*/ margin-bottom:10px } .page-header {order: 1; flex-basis:100%} .event-format {order: 2; flex-grow: 1} .event-dates {order: 3; flex-grow: 1;} .event-cost {order: 4; flex-grow: 1; flex-basis: 25%} .event-type {order: 5; flex-basis: 33%} .event-host {order: 8; flex-grow: 1;} .event-contact-info {order: 6; flex-grow: 2; flex-basis: 33%} .event-description {order: 3; flex-grow: 1} .event-sponsors {order: 9; flex-grow: 1;} .event-registration-link {order: 9;margin: auto 15%;} .page-header{ margin: 0px 0 10px; } h1{ margin:0px } h3{ margin:0px } h4{ color:#003087; font-size:27px; } </div><div class="row"><div class="col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 center_body"><h4>AHA Affinity Forum Session One</h4><p>Workplace violence continues to threaten health care professionals, but mitigating the risk may come with complex challenges. In session one of the <a href="/affinity-forum/addressing-workplace-violence-health-care-2025" title="View the whole series">AHA Affinity Forum</a>, we’ll focus on how to analyze the unique needs of your organization and create a layered approach to violence mitigation. A layered and comprehensive safety plan can help you protect your organization and empower your teams to deliver exceptional patient care in a safe and supportive environment.</p><p>Elisa Arespacochaga, vice president of clinical affairs and workforce, AHA, and Andrea Greco, senior vice president of health care safety, CENTEGIX, will host Kala Bettis, MA, LSC, LAC, LPC, integrated behavioral health supervisor, Vail Health Behavioral Health, to discuss how to analyze the unique needs of your organization and create a layered approach to violence mitigation.</p><p>Each session will last 60 minutes to allow time for the panel discussion and interaction with attendees. Submit your questions ahead of time to contribute to the discussion and address issues that are unique to your organization, or role.</p><p><strong>Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 12 - 1 p.m. Eastern; 11 a.m. - noon Central; 9 - 10 a.m. Pacific </strong></p></div><div class="col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6"><h4>Panel Discussion Replay</h4><div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"></div><p><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary ext" href="/system/files/media/file/2024/12/aha-affinity-forum_CENTEGIX_Session1_layered-approach.pdf" target="_blank" title="View the presentation/deck from the panel discussion" rel="noopener nofollow">Presentation / Deck</a></p></div> <div> <aside> <h3>Reserve Your Spot</h3> <div class="raw-html-embed">   MktoForms2.loadForm("//sponsors.aha.org", "710-ZLL-651", 4218); MktoForms2.whenReady(function(form) { if(form.getId() == 4218) { form.onSuccess(function(values, followUpUrl) { form.getFormElem().hide(); document.getElementById("successAndErrorMessages").innerHTML = `<p>Thank you for your RSVP. Check your email for a save-the-date message to add to your calendar.<\/p>`; return false; }); }; }); <div id="successAndErrorMessages"> </div> </div> </aside> </div> </div>--></div><div class="row"><div class="col-sm-1"> </div><div class="col-sm-10"> /* people */ .people { margin-top: 50px; } .people img:nth-child(1) { border-radius: 200px; -moz-border-radius: 200px; -webkit-border-radius: 200px; margin-bottom: 10px } .people img:nth-child(1):hover { opacity: .7 } @media (max-width:991px) { .people { margin: auto; } .people p { text-align: center } } .ci_profile { margin-bottom: 30px; display: block; } @media (max-width:991px) { .ci_profile { text-align: center } } .ci_profile p { margin: 0 0 7px 0 } .ci_profile_name { font-weight: 700; font-size: 20px; } p.ci_profile_name { font-size: 1.5em; } .ci_profile_title { font-style: italic; line-height: 1.3em } .ci_profile_company { font-size: 1em; } p.ci_profile_award { font-size: .8em; text-align: center; color: #55555599; font-weight: 700 } .ci_profile_social { width: auto; } .ci_profile_social i { padding-right: 25px; font-size: 20px } .ci_profile_social a:last-of-type i { padding-right: 0px; } #ci_footer-social { font-size: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; width: 100%; text-align: right; } @media (max-width:991px) { .ci_logo { margin-top: 25px } .ci_social p { text-align: center !important; } #ci_footer-social { text-align: center } } @media (min-width:540px) { .rowEqual_768 { display: -webkit-box; display: -webkit-flex; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; } .rowEqual_768>[class*='col'] { -ms-flex: 1; /* IE 10 */ flex: inherit; width: calc((100%/3) - 2px)/*Adjust % for the number per row, will override the bootstrap - Also needed for Safari*/ ; } } /* // */ <div class="row people people4"><h4 class="text-align-center">Speakers</h4><div class="row rowEqual_768"><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-10/Kala-Bettis-VailHealth-affinity-forum-300x300.jpg " alt="Kala Bettis" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Kala Bettis, MA, LSC, LAC, LPC</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Integrated Behavioral Health Supervisor</p><p class="ci_profile_company">Vail Health Behavioral Health</p><p class="ci_profile_award"> </p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-10/elisa-arespacochaga_affinity-forum-300x300.jpg" alt="John Riggi" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Elisa Arespacochaga</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Workforce</p><p class="ci_profile_company">���������� Association</p><p class="ci_profile_award"> </p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div><div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6 ci_profile"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-10/andrea-greco-centegix-affinity-forum-300x300.jpg" alt="Ed Gaudet" width="300" height="300"><p class="ci_profile_name">Andrea Greco</p><p class="ci_profile_title">Senior Vice President of Health Care Safety</p><p class="ci_profile_company">CENTEGIX</p><p class="ci_profile_award"> </p><div class="ci_profile_social"> </div></div> <img alt="" src="sssssssssss"> <p class="ci_profile_name">xxxx</p> <p class="ci_profile_title">vvvvv</p> <p class="ci_profile_company">ddddd</p> <p class="ci_profile_award">hhhhh</p> <p class="ci_profile_award"><a href="/center/next-generation-leaders-fellowship/scholarship">Age-Friendly Scholarship Recipient</a></p> <div class="ci_profile_social"></div> </div> --> <a href="/center/next-generation-leaders-fellowship/scholarship">Age-Friendly Scholarship Recipient</a> </p> --></div></div></div><div class="col-sm-1"> </div></div><div class="row" id=""><div class="col-md-10 col-md-offset-1"><div class="col-md-12"><h4>AHA Affinity Forum is brought to our members in collaboration with CENTEGIX</h4></div><div class="col-md-12"><p>Trusted by leading health care providers, CENTEGIX CrisisAlert™ offers all staff members a way to discreetly summon help in any emergency—anytime, anywhere on your campus. The wearable duress badge accelerates response times so your team can confidently begin de-escalation, knowing help is on the way.</p></div> <a href="xxxxxxxxxxxxx"> <img alt="CENTEGIX Logo" src="/sites/default/files/2024-10/CENTEGIX_LOGO_web-Horizontal-Recovered.png"> </a> </div>--></div></div> Fri, 06 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0600 Workplace Safety /advancing-health-podcast/2024-11-22-addressing-rising-violence-health-care-insights-collaborative-safety-strategies <p>Violence in health care settings has grown alarmingly in recent years, and health care leaders are urgently searching for ways to keep their teams safe. In this new "Safety Speaks" conversation, Barbara Griffith, M.D., president of Duke Raleigh Hospital, discusses the successful steps the organization has taken to address the sharp rise in workplace violence, and how reducing violent incidents requires collaboration among multiple support agencies.</p><hr><div></div> Fri, 22 Nov 2024 04:50:26 -0600 Workplace Safety /aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2024-11-19-navigating-rising-tide-violence-health-care-environments <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Navigating-the-Rising-Tide-of-Violence-in-Health-Care-Environments.png" data-entity-uuid="a61f10b8-de48-4950-a316-64a4d81bbc68" data-entity-type="file" alt="Navigating the Rising Tide of Violence in Health Care Environments. A clinician in scrubs stands with his arms extended and palms up behind a shattered window with a bullet hole in it." width="100%" height="100%"></p><p><a href="https://www.bls.gov/iif/factsheets/workplace-violence-2021-2022.htm#:~:text=Health%20care%20and%20social%20assistance%20experienced%20the%20highest%20counts%20and%20annualized%20incidence%20rates%20for%20workplace%20violence%20of%20any%20private%20industry%20sector%20over%20the%20two%2Dyear%20period%20from%202021%2D2022." target="_blank" title="U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Workplace Violence 2021 - 2022">Health care and social services experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence</a>, according to the Department of Labor, jeopardizing their ability to care for their communities. What does all this mean for your organization and how can you respond effectively to ensure the safety and security of your workforce?</p><p>Join leaders in security and health care for an <a href="https://aha-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/6317302200730/WN_vwrhA0PMSAGxzVYaa8jvaQ#/registration" target="_blank" title="AHA ZOOM: 12-12-24 Navigating the Rising Tide of Violence: Ensuring Safety in Health Care Environments Leadership Scan">AHA Leadership Scan panel discussion</a> on the increasing prevalence of workplace violence in health care settings. The panel will explore critical topics, including the rise in violence, how to distinguish between violent and uncomfortable interactions, and the impact these incidents have on safety. Learn proven violence prevention techniques and discover strategies for building trust in safety protocols.</p><p>The event will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 1-2 p.m. EST; noon-1 p.m. CST and 10-11 a.m. PST.</p><p><a href="https://aha-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/6317302200730/WN_vwrhA0PMSAGxzVYaa8jvaQ#/registration" target="_blank" title="AHA ZOOM: 12-12-24 Navigating the Rising Tide of Violence: Ensuring Safety in Health Care Environments Leadership Scan"><span><strong>Register now</strong></span></a><strong> for this free event.</strong></p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/center" title="Visit the AHA Center for Health Innovation landing page."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/logo-aha-innovation-center-color-sm.jpg" data-entity-uuid="7ade6b12-de98-4d0b-965f-a7c99d9463c5" alt="AHA Center for Health Innovation logo" width="721" height="130" data-entity- type="file" class="align-center"></a></p><p><a href="/center/form/innovation-subscription"><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-04/Market_Scan_Call_Out_360x300.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type alt width="360" height="300"></a></p></div></div></div>.field_featured_image { position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } .featured-image{ position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } Tue, 19 Nov 2024 06:15:00 -0600 Workplace Safety /education-events/navigating-rising-tide-violence-ensuring-safety-health-care-environments <p><em><strong>AHA Leadership Scan: A Series of Virtual Panel Discussions</strong></em></p><p><strong>Navigating the Rising Tide of Violence: Ensuring Safety in Health Care Environments </strong><br><em>Updating your strategies to protect health care workers  </em></p><p><strong>Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 </strong><br><em>1 - 2 p.m. Eastern; noon - 1 p.m. Central; 10 - 11 a.m. Pacific </em>   </p><div class="webreplay"> .webreplay{ border: solid 2px #777; padding: 15px 5px; margin: 0 0 10px 15px; } @media (min-width:360px){ .webreplay{ min-width: 290px; float: right; } } <h2 class="text-align-center"><small>On-demand Webinar</small></h2> MktoForms2.loadForm("//sponsors.aha.org", "710-ZLL-651", 4247);</div><p>Health care and social services experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence, according to the Department of Labor, jeopardizing their ability to care for their communities.  </p><p>Hospitals and health system teams experienced violence well before the pandemic, from bullying and incivility to active shooters, intimate partner violence, homicides and suicides. The compounding trauma of the pandemic and violence against health care workers by patients, family members and visitors has heightened the need to create a safer workplace and a more resilient workforce.  </p><p>What does all this mean to your organization and how can you respond effectively to ensure the safety and security of your workforce?  </p><p>Join leaders in security and health care for a panel discussion on the increasing prevalence of workplace violence in health care settings. The panel will explore critical topics including the rise in violence, how to distinguish between violent and uncomfortable interactions, and the impact these incidents have on safety. Learn proven violence prevention techniques and discover strategies for building trust in safety protocols.</p><h3><small class="sm"><strong>Attendees Will Learn:</strong></small></h3><ul><li>To identify and respond to workplace violence threats inside and outside facility walls. </li><li>The difference between violence and uncomfortable interactions and how each relates to safety. </li><li>How to build trust in health care settings, including home care services to improve the safety of health care workers. </li><li>How to implement best practices in violence prevention techniques and reporting on increased workplace violence incidents.</li></ul><h3><small class="sm">Speakers:</small></h3><p>Betty Jo Rocchio, DNP, RN, CRNA, CENP, EBP-C <br><em>Executive Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive</em><br><strong>Advocate Health</strong></p><div><p lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US" paraid="2018905445" paraeid="{8c46086d-b5be-4ec6-890c-1e5d964c976f}{81}">Jason P. Stopyra, MD, MS <br><em>Enterprise Group VP, Public Safety & Emergency Management</em><br><em>Enterprise Director, Workplace Violence Mitigation</em><br><em>Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine</em><br><strong>Advocate Health </strong></p></div><p>Eric Sean Clay, MBA, MSc, CHPA, CPP, PSP, PCI <br><em>Vice President of Security Services, </em><strong>Memorial Hermann Health System </strong><br><em>President</em>, <strong>International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety  </strong></p><p>Jason J. Grellner  <br><em>Vice President and Head of Healthcare </em> <br><strong>Evolv Technology  </strong></p><p><strong>AHA Moderator:</strong></p><p>Jordan Steiger <br><em>Senior Program Manager of Clinical Affairs and Workforce </em><br><strong>The ���������� Association</strong></p><p><br>By attending the AHA Leadership virtual panel discussion "Navigating the Rising Tide of Violence: Ensuring Safety in Health Care Environments" offered by the AHA, participants may earn up to <strong>1 ACHE Qualified Education Hour </strong>toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.  </p> Wed, 30 Oct 2024 08:48:58 -0500 Workplace Safety /issue-brief/2024-10-15-issue-brief-building-safe-workplace-and-community-community-violence-intervention <div class="container row"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><h2>Introduction</h2><p>The ���������� Association’s Hospitals Against Violence (HAV) Advisory Group developed the Building a Safe Workplace and Community <a href="/system/files/media/file/2021/10/building-a-safe-workplace-and-community-framework-for-hospitals-and-health-systems.pdf" target="_blank" title="Building a Safe Workplace and Community framework">framework</a> to guide health care leaders in their efforts to prevent and mitigate violence. The framework focuses on four pillars necessary for implementing a comprehensive violence mitigation strategy: culture of safety, violence intervention, trauma support and risk mitigation. For each pillar, the advisory group developed an issue brief.</p><p>View the detailed report below.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p class="text-align-center"><a class="btn btn-primary btn-wide" href="/system/files/media/file/2024/10/issue-brief-building-a-safe-workplace-and-community-community-violence-intervention-october-2024.pdf"><strong>Download the PDF</strong></a><br> </p><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/10/issue-brief-building-a-safe-workplace-and-community-community-violence-intervention-october-2024.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-10/cover-issue-brief-community-violence-intervention-october-2024-765-px.png" alt="Issue Brief Cover" width="765" height="989"></a></p></div></div></div> Tue, 15 Oct 2024 22:53:55 -0500 Workplace Safety /education-events/mitigating-physical-security-risks-health-care-facilities <p><strong>Mitigating Physical Security Risks in Health Care Facilities </strong> </p><p><strong>Wednesday, November 20, 2024 </strong><br><em>1 - 2 p.m. Eastern; noon - 1 p.m. Central; 10 - 11 a.m. Pacific  </em>  </p><div class="webreplay"> .webreplay{ border: solid 2px #777; padding: 15px 5px; margin: 0 0 10px 15px; } @media (min-width:360px){ .webreplay{ min-width: 290px; float: right; } } <h2 class="text-align-center"><small>On-demand Webinar</small></h2> MktoForms2.loadForm("//sponsors.aha.org", "710-ZLL-651", 4190);</div><p>Health care risk assessments have become increasingly critical due to evolving threats and regulatory demands. Health care facilities face a range of risks, including physical security breaches and compliance issues, which both can affect the safety and well-being of staff, visitors and patients.  </p><p>Hospitals and health care facilities can be prime targets for physical breaches, including unauthorized access, theft and even violent incidents. Comprehensive security assessments are vital for identifying vulnerabilities in physical security systems such as surveillance cameras, access control and perimeter defenses. These assessments also evaluate emergency preparedness and staff training programs to ensure they align with industry best practices.  </p><p>To effectively mitigate physical security risks in health care facilities, it's crucial to conduct regular and comprehensive security assessments that cover all aspects of the facility, including access controls, surveillance systems and emergency response protocols. Integrating advanced security technologies, such as AI-driven surveillance and robust access control systems, enhances the facility's ability to detect and respond to threats in real time. Additionally, continuous staff training on security protocols and threat recognition ensures that everyone is prepared to handle potential incidents. By maintaining vigilance in these areas, health care facilities can better protect their patients, staff and assets from physical security risks.</p><p><strong>Attendees Will Learn:</strong></p><ul><li>The multiple risks that health care facilities face daily.  </li><li>How to mitigate these risks and implement comprehensive security assessments.</li><li>How to best integrate advanced security technologies and robust access control systems.</li></ul><p><br><strong>Speakers:</strong></p><p>Jason J. Grellner <br><em>Vice President and Head of Healthcare </em><br><strong>Evolv Technology</strong></p><p>Paul Sarnese  <br><em>Owner </em> <br><strong>Secured & Prepared Consulting, LLC </strong></p> Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:12:07 -0500 Workplace Safety <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Senators and representatives are in their home states and districts until Sept. 9, so now is an excellent time to meet with them and build support for the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act (H.R. 2584/S. 2768). This bipartisan bill would provide federal protections from workplace violence for hospital workers, similar to the protections in current law for airport and airline workers.</p><h2>TAKE ACTION</h2><p>Thanks to your grassroots advocacy, more than 120 members of Congress are now cosponsors of this critical legislation. Click <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/06/Safety-from-Violence-for-Healthcare-Employees-SAVE-Act-HR-2584-S-2768-Co-sponsors.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> to see whether your legislators have signed on already.</p><p>If your legislators have cosponsored the bill, please thank them. If they have not signed on yet, please ask them to cosponsor to show widespread support as we push for enactment before the end of the 118th Congress.</p><p><strong>We have developed a </strong><a href="/2020-10-07-get-involved?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f110987%2frespond%3fmkt_tok%3dNzEwLVpMTC02NTEAAAGRKX-ihY6idDOQJc8DSYoMQUpCn4QuaC4XEal-Tu54T_0pdR9ChS8he3l8jMSBpDGJ8KfFMmiFV5jlJSprcz4JWN2xA_Y9CYCuurMEUN68pKiuXA" target="_blank"><strong>sample message</strong></a><strong> you can personalize and send to your legislators asking them to cosponsor the bill. You also can share this link with members of your team and community so they can also send a message to lawmakers.</strong></p><p>In addition to urging support for the SAVE Act, please use this opportunity to talk with your lawmakers about other key priority issues for hospitals and health systems. See the July 31 <a href="/action-alert/2024-07-31-action-needed-talk-lawmakers-august-important-issues-facing-hospitals-and-health-systems" target="_blank">Action Alert</a> for more details and resources.</p><h2>RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR ADVOCACY ON THE SAVE ACT</h2><p>As part of our advocacy efforts, the AHA has hosted two briefings for lawmakers and their staff on Capitol Hill, including <a href="/news/headline/2024-07-31-aha-briefing-sen-manchin-joins-health-care-leaders-urging-congress-pass-save-act" target="_blank">one last week</a>. We also have developed resources that you can use to highlight the need to pass the SAVE Act.</p><ul><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2023-04-19-fact-sheet-workplace-violence-and-intimidation-and-need-federal-legislative-response" target="_blank">Factsheet</a>.</li><li><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/02/SAVE-act-content-draft-talking-points-f.pdf" target="_blank">Digital toolkit</a>.</li><li><a href="/infographics/2024-02-07-infographic-save-health-care-workers-workplace-violence" target="_blank">Infographic</a> with statistics on violence against health care workers.</li></ul><h2>FURTHER QUESTIONS</h2><p>Visit the AHA Action Center’s <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/workplace-violence" target="_blank">Workplace Violence webpage</a> and the <a href="/hospitals-against-violence-havhope" target="_blank">Hospitals Against Violence webpage</a> for additional resources.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/08/action-needed-urge-congress-to-protect-health-care-workers-from-violence-by-supporting-the-save-act-alert-8-7-24.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2024-08/image-action-needed-urge-congress-to-protect-health-care-workers-from-violence-by-supporting-the-save-act-alert-8-7-24.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt=" Cover Action Alert: ACTION NEEDED: Urge Congress to Protect Health Care Workers from Violence by Supporting the SAVE Act " width="NaN" height="NaN"></a></div></div></div> Wed, 07 Aug 2024 08:43:44 -0500 Workplace Safety /news/perspective/2024-07-26-speaking-priorities-will-help-hospitals-advance-health-patients-and-communities <p>It’s an understatement to say everything on the national political scene is both unprecedented and unpredictable these days.</p><p>To state the obvious, there <em>will</em> be an election in about 100 days. And regardless of the outcome, it will be followed by a lame-duck session of Congress where there will be several must-do items — including funding the government — which becomes the legislative platform for a variety of issues, including critical ones impacting hospitals that need to be addressed before the end of the year.</p><p>That’s why it’s so important to use this August recess that begins next week as an opportunity to engage senators and representatives while they are back home. More than ever, it is critical for federal lawmakers to understand the challenges hospitals and health systems face . . . and what’s at stake for access to care for the patients and communities they represent.</p><p>Moreover, it is a terrific chance for our field to ensure lawmakers gain firsthand appreciation for all of the innovative and community-supportive things you are doing to improve access, enhance the patient care experience and continue to deliver a level of care that is top-notch.</p><p>After all, our patients, their families and our team members are all their constituents. And as a practical matter, politicians listen most closely during an election year. They need to know that <a href="https://wecarewevote.aha.org/" target="_blank" we="" vote="">we care</a>, and <a href="https://app6.vocusgr.com/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=AHAPAC&Definition=Contribute&SV_Section=Contribute" target="_blank" title="Elections Matter! Join AHAPAC today.">we vote</a>.</p><p>Some of the “must do” messages we need to deliver now include:</p><p><em>We need</em> to continue extending key rural programs that expire at the end of year like the Medicare dependent hospital program and the low-volume adjustment.</p><p><em>We need</em> to extend telehealth and hospital-at-home programs as these innovative efforts, which were adopted to help us manage the COVID-19 pandemic, have expanded access for millions of Americans and allowed patients to receive high-quality care more conveniently.</p><p><em>We need</em> to make sure that payment cuts for hospital services — like those so-called site-neutral adjustments — that appropriately provide a differential for hospital outpatient services are <strong>not</strong> used as an offset or to fund other programs.</p><p><em>We need</em> to continue to prevent Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts from kicking in next year that threaten essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations — children, impoverished, disabled and elderly individuals.</p><p>At the same time, the proposed Medicare payment reductions for physician services will need to be addressed.</p><p>Of course, should the congressional “scope of work” widen beyond issues that are calendar driven, there are many other issues where we want to enlist lawmakers’ support and lay the groundwork for action next year. Among those that we have worked to gain the most attention right now are passage of the bipartisan Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (SAVE) Act, which would provide federal protections from workplace violence for hospital workers; holding commercial insurance companies accountable for practices that delay, deny and disrupt care; and working to bolster support for cybersecurity efforts.</p><p>Next week, you’ll receive an Action Alert highlighting tools and resources to assist in your advocacy and you can visit our <a href="/advocacy/action-center">Action Center</a> webpage for the latest information.</p><p>We may be living in unpredictable times, but one thing that is predictable — and will never change — is that hospitals will always be a source of hope and healing.</p><p>We will always be focused on promoting wellness as well as caring for the sick and injured. And we will always be cornerstones of the communities we serve as we work together to advance health in America.</p> Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:57:04 -0500 Workplace Safety /news/headline/2024-07-19-aha-comments-oshas-proposed-emergency-response-rule <p>The AHA July 19 expressed <a href="/lettercomment/2024-07-19-aha-comments-osha-proposed-emergency-response-standard">concerns</a> to the Department of Labor about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed emergency response rule. The proposal would replace an existing one for firefighters, covering a broader range of emergency personnel including hospital and health system-based ambulance services under its definition of emergency service organizations. Ambulance services and other ESOs would need to meet many provisions under the proposed rule, including those related to written emergency response plans, hazard vulnerability assessments, training, personal protective equipment, medical screening, behavioral health services and workplace violence control, among others, along with incorporating 22 National Fire Protection Agency standards. In a letter, the AHA states that while it shares OSHA’s objectives in issuing the proposed rule, “we are concerned that the standards as proposed include provisions that would be impossible to achieve for hospital and health system-based ambulance services.” It emphasizes that many of the provisions directly relate to the risks faced by firefighters and address situations that do not exist for ambulance personnel. Further, AHA is concerned that certain provisions would be particularly onerous to meet for certain hospital ambulance services, particularly those in rural areas. <br><br>AHA urged the department to permit hospital-based ambulance service organizations to meet the proposals through existing requirements specific to their operations, such as accreditation requirements by the Joint Commission, other Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-approved hospital accreditation bodies or the Commission for the Accreditation of Ambulance Services.</p> Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:54:14 -0500 Workplace Safety