By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

CBS12 News obtained a petition from Union 1199SEIU urging HCA Florida hospitals to do more to protect staff from rising workplace violence. The petition follows a recent nurse assault and 160 calls to law enforcement this year at just one hospital alone. 

Violence against healthcare staff continues to grow, and the calls for action are increasing as well. As Healthcare Facilities Today previously reported, healthcare workers picketed outside Butler Memorial Hospital for Independence Health System to tighten safety measures. They requested that metal detectors be installed at all the entrances to the hospital.

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The Cleveland Clinic uses an incident reporting system to counteract workplace violence. The organization found success by using a system to flag patients with a violent history, prompting a decline in workplace violence reports and an increase in staff seeking help for dealing with challenging behaviors.  

According to the letter, the union is demanding:  

• Onsite sheriff’s deputies  
• Armed guards, metal detectors and bag searches  
• Panic buttons, floor patrols and a zero-tolerance policy  
• Better staffing and training, especially in high-risk areas  

HCA says most measures are already in place and called the petition a “publicity stunt,” CBS12 News reports. A state inspection found no safety violations. 

Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor for the facilities market.