Workplace Violence Prevention: UC Davis Health

At UC Davis Health, aggressive behavior is not tolerated toward or from anyone, including patients, visitors, volunteers, students, physicians and/or staff members.

Workplace violence includes any ACT or THREAT of violence at the worksite.
If you see something, say something

 

Reporting Workplace Violence

WHEN to report workplace violence:

  • Physical Harm or Risk of Physical Harm
  • Hitting, punching, pushing, kicking, spitting, shoving, throwing items, grabbing, physical sexual contact, etc. 
    Attempts to hit, punch, push, kick, spit on, shove, slap, grab, swinging at, throw items, attempt sexual contact, etc.
    Entering other patients’ rooms
    Taking other patients’ items
    Entering restricted areas
    Running, jumping, climbing, etc. in common areas
    Removing items from common areas
    Throwing items on the ground, against the wall, against the window

  • Verbal Statements of Intent to Harm

  • Verbal threats
    Physical posturing

  •  Verbal Harassment

  • Discriminatory or sexually harassing statements, insults, name-calling, etc.

 

HOW to report workplace violence:

Staff who witness or are involved in a workplace violence event should report it to:

  1. Unit supervisor/manager
  2. Security and/or UCDPD
  3. Submit online incident report through RLDatix
  • How to submit an incident report in RLDatix:

  • 1. Click on the "RLDatix (Incident Reporting System)" icon on a desktop computer

    logo for rldatix


    2. Scroll down to the second row from the bottom, and click on the "Safety/Security/Workplace Violence" icon

    blue shield logo


    A blank incident report will appear. 

    3. Submit direct quotes and specific actions when possible.
    E.g. State, "patient called me a b*itch and swung his arm at my head", rather than, "patient was verbally and physically aggressive". 

    4. You will receive an email from the Workplace Violence Prevention Unit to confirm your submission. 

  • How to Place an FYI:

  • While in the patient's chart, select "FYI" (can be found in the search bar if it is not already part of your menu).
    Once you select "FYI", you will see a drop down menus. Select "History of violent behavior"

    Enter the date and write direct quotes and specific actions when possible, rather than writing generalized statements. For example, state, "patient called me a b*tch and swung his arm at my head" rather than saying, "patient was verbally and physically aggressive".

    Select "Accept" once you are finished typing. 

    The patient's chart will be flagged with a red "history of violent behavior" warning, which will automatically pop up each time the patient's chart is opened. 


Training & Preventing Workplace Violence

Interested in submitting a request or learning more about a Workplace Violence Training for you/your department? 

Submit Inquiry

Crisis Prevention Institute Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® Training

CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® 3nd Edition Training provides staff with an effective framework for preventing, de-escalating, and safely responding to crisis behavior. Participants will gain a broad range of tools to help them manage their own emotional responses and identify escalating behaviors in others. NCI training complies with all current legislation and is evidence-based.

Training includes: 

  • Prevention & verbal de-escalation skills
  • Disengagement safety techniques
  • Trauma-informed approach
  • Risk assessment framework
  • Physical intervention techniques

Three CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention classes:

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention:
Initial Certification

Location: Center for Health and Technology (CHT)
Date/Time: Varies - See UC Learning Center for upcoming dates.

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention:
Re-Certification

Location: Center for Health and Technology (CHT)

Date/Time: Varies - See UC Learning Center for upcoming dates.

Verbal Intervention Only

Location: Center for Health and Technology (CHT)

Date/Time: Varies - See UC Learning Center for upcoming dates.

Mental Health First Aid® 

Mental Health First Aid® focuses on recognizing the patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and appearance that show there might be a challenge in the workplace.​​

You will learn:

  • How to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge.
  • How to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge.
  • How to refer someone to appropriate professional support and services.
  • How to apply an action plan to non-crisis and crisis scenarios in the workplace.

Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.

Location: Virtual; Zoom
Date/Time: Monthly; Date/Time Vary; This is a two-day course, each day class will be from ​​9 AM - 12 PM

 


Resources & Support

  • Partners
  • Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) Confidential, cost free assessment, counseling, intervention, consultation and referral services for all UC Davis Health faculty, staff and their immediate families. Appointments: Please call and specify that you would like to be seen for an incident related to workplace violence.
    Employee and Labor Relations Provide direction and guidance on unions, policies agreements, and more. Ensures the correct application of policies, procedures, and laws.
    Employee Health Services Assist all members of UC Davis Health with work-related health problems, injuries, illnesses.
    UC Davis Police Department  
    Harassment & Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program Assists individuals and campus units resolve conflicts and complaints related to harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and hate and bias.
    Center for Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE) Confidential advocacy, support, and healing services to survivors of sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking.
    Ombuds Services Confidential, independent, impartial, and informal problem-solving and conflict management resource for all members of UC Davis Health.
    Support U Peer Responder Program A safe and confidential program that provides peer-to-peer support for caregivers experiencing trauma or stress from an adverse care experience.
    Behavioral Escalation Support Team (BEST) Call 'BEST' on Vocera. 

     

  • Common Reactions to Workplace Violence

  • These are all common responses to trauma, and each person will respond differently. The differences in response will largely depend on the event's severity and each person's trauma history, support system, and coping strategies.

    Re-experiencing the Event: Memories or flashbacks of the violent incident can come up unexpectedly or can be triggered by reminders of the event. You may experience nightmares or feel like you are reliving the incident again.  

    Avoidance: You may find yourself avoiding people, places, and things that remind you of the event. This may look like avoidance of certain smells, sights, or sounds – or avoiding thinking about the event, in general. 

    Feeling on Edge: You may notice you are feeling especially jumpy or reactive after the violent event. The people around you may notice you seem more irritable or angry as your body subconsciously stays on the lookout for 'danger.' You may also experience difficulties with sleeping or concentrating.  

    Emotional Changes: You may find yourself feeling an increase in sadness, anxiety, or fear after a violent incident. You may also experience an increase in feelings of hopelessness, difficulty trusting others, or an overall numbness. 

    Physical Changes: It is common to experience physical discomfort after experiencing a traumatic event. This can look like an increase in headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained pain. You may also find yourself feeling especially fatigued.  

    Other Issues: Following a violent incident, you may notice an increase in difficulties in personal and professional relationships. You may also realize that your substance use has increased. 

  • Coping Skills

  • Connect with Others: Make time to reach out or spend time with loved ones.  

    Strategy: Set aside time each week to call or get together with a support person in your life. 

    Stay Active: Move your body or go outdoors. 

    Strategy: Plan to take a 20-minute walk today. Invite a friend to join you for added encouragement. 

    Practice Mindfulness: Notice how often your brain jumps into the past or the future and practice bringing your focus back to the here and now.  

    Strategy: Look around you and identify one thing from every color in the rainbow.  

    Relaxation Techniques: Deep breathing helps calm your central nervous system, which helps your body relax.  

    Strategy: Breathe in for 4 counts - hold your breath for two counts – breathe out for 6 counts.  

    Utilize Self-compassion: Be patient with yourself. Remember that you are coping with something stressful.  

    Strategy: Ask yourself what you would say to a friend going through a similar situation – then say the same thing to yourself. 

    Focus on Basic Needs: Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating enough and drinking water?  

    Strategy: Look for small ways to make taking care of yourself easier. Buy frozen meals so you don’t have to worry about cooking. Put bottles of water in areas where you tend to spend time. Set a reminder to go to bed on time. 

Counseling Program

Our counselors provide therapeutic services to UC Davis Health employees who have experienced workplace violence and develop programs to assist in preventing workplace violence

Our Services

  • Individual Counseling
    Counselors provide individual and group counseling for UC Davis Health employees who have experienced workplace violence.
  • Therapeutic Debriefing
    Counselors gather required information after a workplace violence incident and offer affected employee resources and support.
  • Outreach
    Counselors provide presentations, workshops, and consultations related to employee mental health.

Pilot Programs

  • Drop-In Counseling Program
    Drop-in counseling available in units with higher incidents of workplace violence.
     
  • Employee Reintegration Protocol
    A protocol that provides therapeutic support for UC Davis Health leadership and staff members when an employee is returning to a unit after investigatory leave for a workplace violence incident.

To schedule an appointment, contact ASAP with the contact information below and specify which program you are interested in. You will get assigned to a Workplace Violence Prevention Clinician who will be able to help you.


About Workplace Violence & Tools

In 2017, several provisions of the Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Act (SB1299) took effect. This legislation added Section 3342, Violence Prevention in Health Care, to the California Code of Regulations (CCR). In response to this legislation, UC Davis Health expanded their Workplace Violence Prevention Program to not only maintain compliance, but to also enact preventative measures to mitigate violence against its staff members. Among other points, Section 3342 established a definition of workplace violence and mandated the documentation (eff. April 1, 2017) and reporting (eff. July 1, 2017) of workplace violence incidents.

 

  • What is "Workplace Violence"?
  • Cal/OSHA has defined “workplace violence” as "any act of violence or threat of violence [directed towards an employee] that occurs at the worksite.” It does not include “lawful acts of self-defense or defense of others.” Workplace violence includes the following:

    The threat or use of physical force against an employee that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, injury, psychological trauma, or stress, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.

    An incident involving the threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.

    A "threat of violence" means "a statement or conduct that causes a person to fear for his or her safety because there is a reasonable possibility the person might be physically injured.

  • What is The Joint Commission's "Workplace Violence" definition?

  • On January 1, 2022, The Joint Commission released New and Revised Requirements for Workplace Violence Prevention: “An act or threat occurring at the workplace that can include any of the following: verbal, nonverbal, written, or physical aggression; threatening, intimidating, harassing, or humiliating words or actions; bullying; sabotage; sexual harassment; physical assaults; or other behaviors of concern involving staff, licensed practitioners, patients, or visitors.” 

  • What are the Cal/OSHA "Workplace Violence" Reporting Requirements?

  • There is a narrower set of criteria for reporting workplace violence incidents to Cal/OSHA. In general terms, a workplace violence incident is reportable if it involved:

    1. "The use of physical force against an employee by a patient or a person accompanying a patient that resulted in, or had a high likelihood of resulting in, injury requiring more than first aid or psychological trauma or stress"

    2. "An incident involving the use of firearm or other dangerous weapon" (regardless of the classification of the perpetrator)

    Additionally, Cal/OSHA requires all reportable incidents to be submitted within either a 24-hr. or a 72-hr. time frame. Incidents must be reported within 24 hrs. if they involve a fatality, hospitalization over 24 hours for other than observation, loss of limb, serious degree of permanent disfigurement, the use of firearm/dangerous weapon, or a threat to the safety/health/welfare where death or serious harm could result. Any other incident that meets the reporting requirements must be reported within 72 hrs.

Tools:

UC Davis Policy Links: 

Workplace Violence Prevention Staff: 

Name

Title Contact Information
Adam Burkholder Workplace Violence Prevention Director aburkholder@ucdavis.edu
Glenn Glasgow Lead Workplace Violence Prevention Investigations Consultant

gglasgow@ucdavis.edu

Monica Armstead Lead Employee Relations Consultant mlarmstead@ucdavis.edu
Rachel Henry Lead Workplace Violence Prevention Trainer rlhenry@ucdavis.edu
Jasmine Cusic Workplace Violence Prevention Trainer jcusic@ucdavis.edu
Elizabeth Sheesley Workplace Violence Prevention Counselor

elmart@ucdavis.edu

Aurora Cazares Workplace Violence Prevention Counselor aucazares@ucdavis.edu
Melissa Cuevas Workplace Violence Prevention Analyst 

mmcuevas@ucdavis.edu

New Hire RN Training Requirement

Effective August 1, 2023, all incoming new employee RNs will complete Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training.