When workplace violence is on the rise, health care organizations face a critical question: how do we protect our staff while maintaining compassionate care?  

At CHRISTUS Southern New Mexico—a 99-bed Catholic health ministry—the answer has long been rooted in prevention. Even before required, the organization proactively implemented CPI training to stay ahead of OSHA workplace violence training recommendations and foster a culture of safety. 

A Longstanding Commitment to Safety 

CPI training has been part of CHRISTUS Southern New Mexico’s DNA for years. The organization recognized early on that equipping staff with de-escalation skills was essential to reducing incidents and protecting both patients and health care workers.  

That commitment deepened in 2022 when Judy Flores, a CPI Certified Instructor since 2016, stepped into the role of Director of Education and Chair of the Workplace Violence Committee. 

The committee—made up of leaders from behavioral health, security, nursing, risk management, and quality—monitors combative patient alerts, reviews incident reports, and tracks CPI training compliance across departments. Their shared mission: reduce workplace violence and ensure staff feel safe and supported. 

Empowering Better Care with Preventative Training 

The connection between CPI training and workplace safety at CHRISTUS isn’t theoretical—it’s backed by data. 

In 2022, the organization recorded 20 workplace violence injuries. Staff were doing their best, but many lacked the tools and confidence to safely de-escalate situations.  

Recognizing the urgency, the leadership team issued a bold challenge: train 90 associates in 90 days across 10 departments. 

Flores and her team not only met the goal—they built momentum. CPI’s Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® and Verbal Intervention™ Training programs became a regular part of the hospital’s safety strategy, supported by monthly and bimonthly classes and a pool of four Certified Instructors. 

The results showed a clear trend: 

• 2022: 20 injuries 

• 2023: 12 injuries 

• 2024: 7 injuries 

When CPI training was equally prioritized by leadership and staff, incidents dropped by 65%. And when front line health care staff felt prepared, they responded with calm, care, and control to effectively de-escalate risk behavior.  

“We saw a huge culture shift after we got more associates trained with the CPI curriculum,” Flores said. “Staff felt more confident and empowered to step in and de-escalate situations.” 

Non-clinical staff who once felt unsure about how to help during tense moments began stepping in with confidence. Nurses felt supported. Departments began tracking compliance more closely. CPI training wasn’t just a class—it became part of the culture. 

Evolving with the Curriculum: CPI’s Relevance Over Time 

CPI’s training has continually evolved to reflect the realities of modern health care—most notably with the rollout of trauma-informed 3rd Edition Training. This evolution has reinforced CHRISTUS’s long-standing commitment to personalized, patient-centered care. 

“We’ve always discussed personalized, patient-centered care. The trauma-informed updates didn’t change our approach significantly, but they reinforced what we were already doing,” Flores said.  

Judy has taught three editions of CPI and witnessed its evolution firsthand. The curriculum continues to adapt to the realities of modern health care, keeping educators and staff engaged. 

“I’ve taught three editions of CPI. The updates keep things relevant. As an educator, that’s something I find very valuable.”  

Beyond the numbers, CPI training gave staff—especially those in non-clinical roles—a sense of empowerment and readiness. 

“I’ve heard first-hand comments like, ‘I was scared for the nurse, I didn’t know what to do to help. I wish I would have known what to do.’ This class is going to help,” Flores added. 

These moments reflect the deeper value of CPI: helping staff feel safe, capable, and supported in the face of unpredictable situations. 

Why Leadership Buy-In Is Essential 

Flores emphasized that leadership buy-in is essential for CPI training success. 

“You can’t launch a system-wide program unless you get the right people at the table,” she explained. “When directors prioritize training and schedule staff accordingly, attendance improves. Leadership buy-in is what makes it successful.” 

Department directors who prioritized training helped ensure staff could attend sessions. This top-down commitment created a ripple effect, reinforcing the importance of safety across the organization. 

A Model for Other Health Systems 

CHRISTUS Southern New Mexico’s experience shows that CPI training isn’t just a program—it’s a strategic investment in staff safety and organizational culture.  

With measurable reductions in workplace violence and increased staff confidence, the facility stands as a model for how targeted training and leadership alignment can drive meaningful change. 

“Providing training that makes staff feel confident and competent is what matters,” Flores said. “It shows that their safety is a priority.” 

If you’d like help designing or scaling a CPI-based workplace violence prevention program for your health care facility, let’s connect. Our team can guide you in customizing training, securing leadership support, and measuring outcome