Abuse of health care workers is a growing and serious problem. The Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan believes that health care facilities should recognize and actively minimize health care worker abuse.

The Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan believes that an educational program addressing abuse should be implemented in all health care facilities in Saskatchewan. The educational program should include:

• philosophy and policies which outline the facility/organizations commitment to provide a safe work environment;
• risk management which addresses the physical environment, staff scheduling, routines;
• on-going education/training of all health care staff in the prevention/management of abusive incidents;
• follow-up procedure, which includes mechanism for reporting and reviewing abusive incidents; and
• recognition of the impact of abusive incidents on health care staff.

Abuse may take the form of acts/threats of physical aggression, verbal abuse, psychological abuse or sexual harassment. Anticipation or fear of violence is a stress factor which may cause physical or psychological problems for the health care worker.

Approved by Council
June 1994