Handle With Care - Hospitals & Healthcare

Healthcare organizations operate in a unique environment where they must balance compassionate, patient-centered care with the need for staff safety. At any moment, heightened emotions from patients or their families can erupt into antagonistic or even violent situations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare workers experience workplace violence at a rate five times higher than workers in other industries (BLS, 2023). Emergency nurses, in particular, face significant risks, with studies showing that nearly 70% have reported being physically assaulted while on the job (ENA, 2022).

"One of our team members was attacked from behind & choked by a patient.  She was able to safely escape, and no major physical injury occurred to her or the patient. Her first words to the instructor after the incident when she saw him next was “IT WORKS!!!”"

Russell Sandra - Somerset LPNT - Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital

Often, clients and individuals engage in challenging behaviors as a way to communicate their dissatisfaction, whether real or perceived. HWC’s program equips healthcare professionals with the skills to identify the root cause of these behaviors while remaining calm and objective. Our training emphasizes de-escalation techniques that help staff respond effectively without escalating the situation further.

Creating a Culture of Safety in Healthcare

HWC creates safer, trauma-informed human service environments by teaching staff how to intervene using least restrictive and effective methods. It is because our intervention methods are both safe and effective that organizations using our program have consistently experienced a 50%+ reduction in number of physical interventions and a 50% reduction in the number of injuries to both staff and client. These statistics include organizations who have switched to HWC from other programs.

"When I make my rounds or work in the trenches of the emergency department I can see a culture shift.  The trusting relationships we develop during training are the extension of the team we are building."

Jennifer Brenneman - BSN, RN,CEN, CPEN - Emergency Department Program Coordinator for Behavioral Safety Assstants - Penn Medicine

HWC's program is backed by over 40 years of field-research and use. It is ideally suited for healthcare workers, hospital staff, EMTs and hospital security. Our physical verbal intervention, physical intervention and holding methods have been reviewed and evaluated by forensic pathologists, state policymakers, chief medical examiners, and top healthcare professionals across the country. Our verbal de-escalation program became a core component Pennsylvania Hospital’s first-year resident training curriculum. HWC’s proprietary holding method, the Primary Restraint Technique® or PRT® is patented for its safeguards to prevent positional asphyxia and other medical emergencies. HWC’s training aligns with federal regulations and healthcare accrediting bodies, including Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (42 CFR Part 482).

 

"these techniques really do save lives, provide therapeutic safety measures, and bring insight and wisdom into a system with a dire need for this exact program and safe techniques to keep everyone safe."

Courtney Vaughn - JD Home Healthcare

Specialized Interventions: For Healthcare Organizations or Hospitals using ambulatory, chair or bed restraints, we teach how to transition from a physical hold into a mechanical restraint. We have other specialized interventions as well to accommodate other orthopedic, psychological or medical conditions.

Contact HWC to learn more about our program or to schedule a training.