Rounding with a Purpose: Raising Awareness During Workplace Violence Awareness Month

Each April, the Workplace Violence Prevention (WPVP) team partners with the Behavioral Escalation Support Team (BEST) to round across hospital units in recognition of Workplace Violence Awareness Month. These rounds create space to connect with staff, share resources, and have conversations about workplace violence. They also help the team better understand what staff are experiencing day to day and where support is most needed.

  

During these conversations, staff spoke openly about the rise in patient escalation and combative behavior, and how it affects both safety and morale. Many shared a sense that there are limited consequences for aggressive behavior, which can lead to frustration and impact job satisfaction. Staff also emphasized the value of a team-based approach when situations begin to escalate, such as bringing in additional support or rotating staff when possible. At the same time, they noted that some situations are difficult to predict, particularly when patients are experiencing delirium or confusion.  

 

These conversations highlight that workplace violence continues to have a real impact on staff well-being and the overall work environment. The Workplace Violence Prevention team sincerely thanks everyone who took the time to share their experiences—your openness and honesty help us better understand what you’re facing and how we can support you. We are actively using this feedback to guide our next steps and identify areas for improvement. WPVP remains committed to supporting staff and strengthening resources to help create a safer workplace for everyone.