Safety at GBMC: Listening, Learning, and Taking the Next Step Together

Fair warning—this is a long message, but one of the most important messages I have had the privilege to write. 

“Two security guards stabbed at local hospital,” “Violence Against Healthcare Workers on the rise,” “A nurse reveals brutal attack in the ER as Maryland healthcare workers increasingly face violence on the job”—frightening, I know! Headlines such as these are becoming increasingly common and the workplace violence statistics back them up.  I recently reviewed a study that outlined some alarming statistics:

• Health care workers are five times as likely to experience workplace violence as other workers.
• The most vulnerable healthcare workers victimized are staff at emergency departments and staff directly involved with inpatient care.  
• Most violent cases are committed by patients’ family/friends followed by the patients themselves.  
• In terms of workplace violence types, 71.9% are verbal, 28.1% are physical, and 100% are unacceptable!

These are sobering statistics that we cannot ignore if we want to successfully deliver on our vision of providing the care we would want for our own loved ones. I need you to know that I take my responsibility of keeping you safe very seriously. To that end, as the “new guy,” I wanted to know what GBMC has done thus far—I wanted to understand our workplace violence prevention journey. 

The team of Cate O’ Connor-Devlin (Director of Emergency Preparedness Safety & Security), Scott Kern (Manager of Safety & Security), and Alexa Oceanak (Public Safety Manager) were tasked to bring me up to speed. I wanted to understand what we had done, what we were currently working on, and what we plan to do in the future. I was blown away!  There is a quote that is commonly referenced in safety training for high-risk industries like oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing. “Safety should never be a priority. It should be a PRE-CONDITION.” I was blown away because these leaders and GBMC’s Workplace Violence Committee (co-chaired by Alexas Oceanak & Carolyn Kieu (U47 Nurse Manager) clearly believe this mantra for healthcare. I want to share a few highlights:   

• Zero Tolerance Policy: We have made it clear to our patients and visitors that we will not tolerate abuse or disruptive behavior.
• Standardized Data Collection of Workplace Violence Incidents: We have revised our STAR tool with fewer fields and created standard work/response based on different severity levels of events including outreach to impacted team members.
• FYI Flag: Created a safety alert warning within our systems to warn our teams if a patient or visitor has had previous propensity for violence toward our team.
• Workplace Violence Prevention Training: Taught by a IAHSS Workplace Violence Prevention certified instructor, this in-person training teaches de-escalation and situational awareness skills to navigate potentially threatening situations. Although this is required for our security team and other high-risk areas, it is an option for any team member who is interested.
• Joined the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) National Workplace Violence Committee: We joined this national committee to ensure we have the best practices to mitigate workplace violence, find resources, and to send a message—we shifted from reactive “security” to proactive safety science.
• Deployed a BHRT (Behavioral Response Team) & a Behavioral Support Team: BHRT focuses on a rapid, 24/7 clinical support team that helps manage disruptive, aggressive, or violent patient behaviors through de escalation, assessment, and treatment guidance. Whereas the Support team provides a non urgent consultative team that provides expert advice and coordination to help staff plan next steps for ongoing or emerging behavioral concerns. The key difference: BHRT responds immediately to active situations, while the Behavioral Support Team focuses on planned, advisory support when there is no immediate threat.

And they are not done…what you'll see next:
In the coming weeks, you’ll notice several updates that reflect common practices across hospitals in our region and nationally. The first two will be in place by the end of February, with the third coming in the near future.  

• Fewer entrances, more consistent monitoring for the hospital main building
  We will be limiting access points so entrances can be monitored more effectively and consistently. This helps us better understand who is here, why they’re here, and where they’re headed—all while preserving the welcoming feel of our campus.
• Visitor management and visible badges for hospital 
  Visitors, vendors, and contractors will be asked to check in and wear visible identification (printed visitor badges). This helps our teams quickly distinguish who is authorized to be in the building and reduces the risk of individuals moving into areas where they are not expected to be.  To that end, we will need to ensure you are displaying your badges at all times or you will be required to get a sticker and instructed to go to the security office for a temporary employee badge.  No one is immune…even I was stopped by one of our guards (as my badge was behind my winter coat) and requested to move my badge to the proper location. This is the type of vigilance we need to keep our hospital safe!
• Weapons detection, starting where risk is highest 
  We are in the process of selecting a weapons detection system, beginning in the Emergency Department and at the OB entrance. 

While this message focuses on our hospital, please know that we are actively assessing and strengthening safety across all GBMC locations.

Creating a safe environment is not the responsibility of security alone—it belongs to all of us. I ask each of you to do three things: stay alert, follow our safety processes consistently, and speak up early when something doesn’t feel right. Report concerns, participate in available training, and support one another when situations escalate. Your voice and your actions matter.

Thank you for the care you provide, the vigilance you show, and the commitment you bring to our patients and to one another every day. Your safety is a pre-condition for everything we do—and I am personally committed to it.

Employee Spotlight

Karen Jones

Catering Associate

Food and Nutrition Services

How long have you been at GBMC HealthCare?

27 years

What is one key way you support a zero harm/safety culture?

I provide safe and nutritious catering food services for GBMC.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I like cooking and preparing food. I mostly enjoy the expression on customer's face while eating food I prepared.

Favorite food?

Pasta