Preventing Domestic Violence in the Workplace

Course Description

With the traditionally heavily female-dominated workforce, the open environment, and the family dynamics that occur with patients, it is no surprise that domestic violence can be more frequent in the healthcare setting. Not only are the individuals noted above at risk of harm from a spouse or significant other, but numerous other employees, patients, and visitors are also at risk.

This webinar will look at the factors that are prevalent in situations of DV, especially in the healthcare environment. It will also identify key tactics and strategies to educate staff on how to recognize the potential for DV against both employees and patients. This will include a discussion of processes to “intake” potential situations and identify and institute solid response protocols.

There will also be a discussion of the balance needed between providing autonomy to potential victims to make their own decisions while also providing needed support for others who may be at risk of collateral damage.

Specific tactics will be discussed, including multiple intake points and a multidisciplinary response team involving security, human resources, risk management, and senior leaders.

A detailed review of the “Control Wheel” and how the elements found therein contribute to understanding domestic violence and identifying potential victims in the workplace will also be included.

Other aspects that will be discussed include creating awareness of the issue, the importance of open dialogue and multiple reporting options, documentation via a threat assessment checklist tool, and the role of law enforcement.

How to identify and respond to potential DV within the patient population, both inpatient and outpatient, will also be discussed.

---

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding the Control Wheel as it relates to DV.
• Strategies for educating staff on recognizing and reporting within the organization.
• Strategies for reducing the vulnerability of staff identified as high-risk targets.
• Using a threat assessment checklist to drive proactive planning and documenting activity.
• Understanding differences of approach and control options between employee and patient victims.
• The importance of debriefing each situation.
• Identifying early warning signs and behavioral indicators of potential domestic violence situations in the healthcare environment.
• Understanding the role of multidisciplinary teams, including security, HR, risk management, and leadership, in responding to DV incidents.
• Developing effective intake and response protocols to improve workplace safety and support for victims.
• Recognizing the importance of communication, documentation, and coordination with law enforcement and external support resources.

Areas Covered in the Session

Recommended Participants

• Department leaders
• Staff representatives
• Risk managers
• Hospital leadership
• Security personnel
• Human resources professionals
• Compliance officers
• Patient safety officers
• Emergency department managers
• Nursing supervisors and managers
• Social workers and case managers
• Behavioural health professionals
• Workplace violence prevention coordinators
• Quality improvement professionals
• Legal and regulatory affairs personnel

About the Presenter

Mike Cummings, CPP is a 50-year veteran of the private security industry, including the last 37 years dedicated to the healthcare sector. He led the security program for the largest healthcare provider in Wisconsin for more than 30 years before launching his healthcare security consulting firm in January 2018, where he continues to serve as Principal Consultant.

Mike has held the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation—board certification in security management—since 1987. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University and a Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University.

He has been an active member of ASIS International since 1976 and the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) since 1985, serving in numerous volunteer leadership roles within both organizations.

Additional Information

Snippets From Our Previous Session