(Portland, Ore.) – Oregon healthcare workers and elected officials are partnering to protect patients and providers and reverse the disturbing rise in violence against healthcare workers by passing Oregon Senate Bill 537. The bill will better protect patients and providers in hospitals and home health by implementing proven strategies to prevent violence in healthcare, support victims, and increase transparency and accountability.
Healthcare workers injuries from workplace violence increased a shocking 181 percent in hospitals between 2007 and 2022 and 92 percent of ONA members reported experiencing workplace violence last year.
“For too long, we’ve allowed the people who care for us to become victims. It’s time to stand up for them and put a stop to this senseless violence,” said State Representative Travis Nelson, a chief sponsor of the bill and registered nurse. “As a registered nurse for more than two decades, I’ve been punched, kicked, spit on and abused more times than I can count—and nearly every nurse I know has similar stories. We can’t let this cycle of violence continue. Everyone deserves a safe workplace. This bill is a critical step towards protecting healthcare providers and their patients. By passing it, we send a clear message that our caregivers must be safe and supported—not attacked and abused.”
Oregon’s Healthcare Workers are in Danger.
Long shrugged off as ‘just part of the job’, attacks on healthcare workers include verbal and physical threats, stalking, sexual assaults, death threats, punches, kicks and other attacks that can leave workers with concussions, lacerations, permanent physical injuries and PTSD.
Federal data shows healthcare workers are five more likely than other workers to become victims of workplace violence—making a career in healthcare one of the most dangerous jobs in America.
Patients Pay the Price too.
While healthcare workers attempt to shield their patients from violence, they also pay a heavy price. Ninety-seven percent of ONA members reported violent incidents impact patient care by disrupting care, delaying treatments and, in some cases, turning patients into victims.
Escalating violence also leaves fewer providers to care for patients–exacerbating our community’s care crisis. One in five healthcare workers reported missing work last year due to workplace violence injuries and trauma and more than 26 percent of healthcare workers are considering quitting due to workplace violence.
In addition to the physical, mental and emotional damages, violence costs taxpayers, patients, providers and the companies they work for billions. The American Hospital Association estimates workplace violence costs hospitals and health systems $2.7 billion annually in increased staffing costs, insurance losses, healthcare costs for victims and security among other expenses.
“Generations of healthcare workers have been taught that violence and abuse are just ‘part of the job,’” said Jennifer Bevacqua, a nurse practitioner at OHSU and ONA leader. “Recently, a RN colleague of mine was kicked in the face by a patient on a stretcher. This is not OK. Workplace violence is an epidemic that harms healthcare providers and patients. It delays treatments and drives healthcare workers away from the bedside. We must take action to protect workers, support victims, and ensure healthcare is safe for patients and caregivers.”
Senate Bill 537 Makes Healthcare Safer for Patients and Providers.
The rising tide of violence in healthcare is more than a statistic—it is a daily reality that endangers lives, disrupts patient care, and inflicts long-term physical, mental, and financial harm on our communities. In the wake of this growing public health crisis, the Oregon Nurses Association and elected leaders are proud to announce Senate Bill 537, a statewide answer to the daily violence harming patients, providers and our communities. Senate Bill 537 protects patients and providers by incorporating proven safety strategies to prevent violence and better support victims.
Senate Bill 537 prevents workplace violence.
- Adopts proven safety strategies like annual de-escalation training, initial safety assessments, identity protection, improved information sharing to ensure safe care for patients and providers, emergency alert devices and increased security.
- Strengthens safety committees and provides for root cause analysis and process improvements to prevent future violence.
Senate Bill 537 supports victims of violence.
- Ensures first aid, trauma counseling and time off are available to victims when needed.
Senate Bill 537 increases transparency and accountability to prevent future attacks.
- Helps identify trends and socialize successful strategies by requiring hospitals to report workplace violence info to the state for future study and policymaking.
“Workplace violence inflicts deep physical, mental and emotional scars. The trauma caregivers endure is real and it’s driving many of our most experienced nurses away from the bedside,” said Patrick Hennessy, a nurse at OHSU and chair of ONA’s Cabinet on Health Policy. “We can’t eliminate every violent incident, but we can do much more to prevent it. Senate Bill 537 gives more nurses and healthcare providers proven tools to safely care for our patients and ourselves. No one should have to work in fear. Preventing workplace violence is a cause we can all support.”
The Senate health care committee is expected to hold a hearing on Senate Bill 537 Thursday, March 20.
More information on ONA’s work to end workplace violence in healthcare can be found online at www.OregonRN.org/WPV.
