AHA On May 8, support for SAVE Healthcare workers won laws in the House of Representatives and Senate sponsors. The bipartisan bill would make assaulting hospital workers a federal crime, similar to current federal law protecting airlines and airport workers. The legislative House sponsor is D-PA. Madeleine Dean, Mariannett Miller Meek, R. Iowa and the Senate sponsors are Cindy Hyde Smith, R. Miss and Angus King Imain.
“Our member hospitals and health systems report that workplace violence and intimidation makes it more difficult for clinical staff to provide quality patient care,” writes Aha. “Providers cannot provide careful care if they fear personal safety, are distracted by destructive patients and families, or are traumatized from previous attacks. Furthermore, violent attacks in healthcare facilities can delay the urgent care of other patients, reduce employee productivity and increase the likelihood of adverse events.”
