The health care industry is at a tipping point. Nurses and their counterparts are facing increased incidents of violence and high turnover rates, while they and their patients face unprecedented amounts of trauma and anxiety.

Breaking the cycle of workplace violence in health care is critical. And it starts here.

CPI approached health care professionals and subject matter experts Kimberly Urbanek and Kyle Graham to develop the Workplace Violence Prevention Handbook. The goal: to serve as a comprehensive resource to establish and build out the necessary components of a successful workplace violence (WPV) prevention program.

You may know that there are already existing regulations and guidelines on what a workplace violence prevention program (WPVP) should entail. So how is this book different?

5 Characteristics That Set This Handbook Apart from Others

1. First-Hand Knowledge

This handbook draws from several leading WPV subject matter experts and incorporates years of health care experience across North America to provide the most up-to-date, current WPVP strategies and challenges. The ideas, plans, and best practices encompassed here have been tested and vetted by professionals in the industry who have first-hand knowledge of what does and does not work.

2. A Comprehensive Approach Specific to Health Care

This handbook is specific to hospitals and all other health care entities—covering all types of health care organizations, regardless of size, location, or classification. No other existing guidelines provide a comprehensive approach for all health care establishments regarding building a Workplace Violence Prevention Handbook for Health Care WPV program.

3. A “How To” Approach

This WPVP plan is intended to meet an organization “where they are,” representing an approach not offered by any other resource. Other resources broadly indicate where you need to go, without telling you how to get there. This handbook uses a “how to” approach that addresses an organization’s need regardless of its starting point. Even the very best WPVP programs can benefit from new and creative ways to sustain their progress.

4. Enhance Existing WPV Programs

It is likely that most, if not all, health care organizations already have some pieces of a WPVP program in place. However, very few entities truly have all the pieces in place, functioning at the highest level of efficacy. This book is intended to enhance and complement your current WPV program and aid anyone, regardless of role or job title, in developing the essentials of building a complete program.

5. A Living Document

This handbook will be updated and renewed regularly, expanding and evolving along with the industry. The plethora of dynamic variables in health care make it necessary to amend and adjust strategies, approaches, and best practices over time in order to stay current and relevant to the end goal.

WPV is an all-encompassing, ever-growing, ever-evolving issue.

There will continue to be learning opportunities and pain points, and as more is learned, more will be shared.

About the Authors of the Workplace Violence Prevention Handbook

Kimberly A. Urbanek has over 22 years of experience in health care and is a Master Level Instructor in Crisis Prevention. She has held clinical roles in open heart surgery, critical care, paramedicine, and emergency services, as well as nonclinical and management level positions in Public Safety, where she developed a state-of-the-art Security Command Center. Kim has extensive experience as a certified instructor in a vast array of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness areas and serves as a workplace violence prevention expert and specialist. Currently, Kim works as the System Manager, Administration and Training of Public Safety at Edward-Elmhurst Health, where she works to educate on and enhance the workplace violence prevention program.

Kyle J. Graham, CYCP (Cert.) Specialized Hon. Psychology has over 25 years of experience in academic research hospitals including The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON) and McMaster Children’s Hospital (Hamilton, ON). Kyle is a Master Level Instructor in Crisis Prevention (holding certificates in Advanced Physical Skills and Trauma) and is a Certified Joint Health and Safety Member (approved by the Chief Prevention Officer, Ministry of Labor in Ontario, Canada). Kyle is passionate about creating sustainable business/training practices regarding patient/staff safety and has consulted for many private and public institutions across North America.

Receive a Digital Copy of the Workplace Violence Prevention Handbook

CPI is launching a short survey focused on how workplace violence has impacted you, and the steps your organization has taken. Collecting this data will, for the very first time, present a clear picture of what organizations like yours can do to establish and maintain a workplace focused on the Care, Welfare, Safety, and SecuritySM of everyone.

After completing the survey, you will receive a digital copy of the Workplace Violence Prevention Handbook for Health Care Professionals.

Take the Survey. Get the Book.