LYNCHBURG, Va. – Centra Health is hitting employees who are injured on the job.
Leaders said that between January and June 2022, 39 employees reported an injury.
Nathan Campbell, Director of Corporate Security at Centra, answered the following questions from 10 News:
How concerned is Centra when it comes to workplace violence?
“Very worried. Violence in the workplace does not consist only of injury with a weapon, but can be any type of physical or even verbal abuse. We have seen caregivers kicked, punched, spat on and verbally assaulted. We believe that the workplace should be a safe place for our carers. No one should be afraid to come to work.”
What do you think causes the violence?
“State mental health populations have overwhelmed the system and we are starting to see more patients in our higher acuity facilities. This coupled with capacity challenges means patients are often here longer than expected, which can cause frustration that fuels violence. There has also been aggression due to frustration with masking, social challenges and changes resulting from COVID-19.”
Ad
What steps is the Center taking to solve the problem?
“We are carrying out facility assessments across all of the Centre’s facilities to ensure that appropriate mechanisms are in place including panic buttons for carers, door security measures with access control technology, CCTV systems, car park lighting, etc. We are increasing our education through signage, media, and monitoring public entrances with greeters. Most importantly, the Centra Foundation has graciously provided funding for all caregivers to undergo de-escalation training through the Crisis Prevention Institute to ensure a level of training appropriate for each caregiver’s role.”
Would you consider filing charges, if possible, if an employee is injured by a patient?
“Yes, we will assist our carers by any means necessary to ensure they are properly cared for, including helping to press charges if that is what they wish to do. We also have policies and programs in place with our legal and human resources teams to provide them with any advice they may need.”
Copyright 2022 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.
