Workplace Violence Prevention: UC Davis Health

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

Reminder: Contact 911 in case of emergency

How to Report Workplace Violence

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

Unit supervisor/manager
Security and/or UCDPD
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

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

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.

UC Davis Health Trainings

UC Responder Trainings

Aggression & Violence Predicting Factors
Recognize and assess risk for workplace violence by identifying key warning signs, vulnerabilities, and behavioral indicators. Learners explore the difference between affective and predatory violence, the pathway to violence, and common assessment tools used to support early intervention and reporting. This training is for employees assigned to respond to alarms or other notifications of violent incidents or whose assignments involve confronting or controlling persons exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. This course meets Cal/OSHA regulations (Reference: 8 CCR 3342).
Register on UC Learning Center
Customer Service in Healthcare Settings
Key customer service principles in healthcare, including communication, empathy, and teamwork, and their impact on the patient experience. Learners also explore strategies to address dissatisfaction and respond to complaints professionally while maintaining safety and respect. This training is for employees assigned to respond to alarms or other notifications of violent incidents or whose assignments involve confronting or controlling persons exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. This course meets Cal/OSHA regulations(Reference: 8 CCR 3342).
Register on UC Learning Center
De-escalation in Healthcare Settings
Practical strategies for recognizing, preventing, and responding to escalating behavior in healthcare settings. Learners will review core de-escalation principles, including maintaining personal space, using non-threatening body language, staying calm and professional, establishing verbal contact, practicing active listening, setting clear limits, and seeking assistance when needed. The course also introduces the Behavior Escalation Cycle and provides scenario-based practice applying de-escalation techniques with patients, visitors, coworkers, or others displaying agitated, disruptive, or potentially violent behavior. This training is for employees assigned to respond to alarms or other notifications of violent incidents or whose assignments involve confronting or controlling persons exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. This course meets Cal/OSHA regulations (Reference: 8 CCR3342).
Register on UC Learning Center
General & Personal Safety in Healthcare Settings
Practical guidance for maintaining general and personal safety in healthcare settings. Learners will explore how situational awareness supports staff safety, including levels of awareness, personal awareness, collaborative awareness, environmental awareness, and universal precautions for violence. The course also reviews practical techniques and strategies for identifying risk, preparing for escalating situations, using team-based support, maintaining safer positioning, and responding appropriately to threats or acts of workplace violence. This training is for employees assigned to respond to alarms or other notifications of violent incidents or whose assignments involve confronting or controlling persons exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. This course meets Cal/OSHA regulations (Reference: 8 CCR 3342).
Register on UC Learning Center
Principles of Communication in Healthcare Settings
Foundational communication principles in healthcare settings, emphasizing clarity, empathy, and safety. Learners explore how effective communication impacts patient outcomes, team collaboration, and workplace safety. The course covers communication types, common barriers, and practical strategies to support clear, respectful interactions with patients, families, and healthcare teams. Interactive scenarios and knowledge checks reinforce real-world application of skills. This training is for employees assigned to respond to alarms or other notifications of violent incidents or whose assignments involve confronting or controlling persons exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. This course meets Cal/OSHA regulations (Reference: 8 CCR 3342).
Register on UC Learning Center
Post-Incident Responsibilities in Healthcare Settings
Essential steps to take after a workplace violence incident, including ensuring safety, conducting staff and patient debriefs, completing required documentation, supporting investigations, and promoting staff well-being. Learners will gain clarity on their roles and responsibilities to support recovery, accountability, and continuous improvement. This training is for employees assigned to respond to alarms or other notifications of violent incidents or whose assignments involve confronting or controlling persons exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. This course meets Cal/OSHA regulations (Reference: 8 CCR 3342).
Register on UC Learning Center
Trauma-Informed Care in Healthcare Settings
Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and its role in healthcare settings. Learners explore the impact of trauma on health, behavior, and the brain, and apply key principles such as safety, trust, and collaboration. Through scenarios, learners practice strategies to reduce re-traumatization, support patients effectively, and sustain trauma-informed approaches in their work. This training is for employees assigned to respond to alarms or other notifications of violent incidents or whose assignments involve confronting or controlling persons exhibiting aggressive or violent behavior. This course meets Cal/OSHA regulations (Reference: 8 CCR 3342).
Register on UC Learning Center

New Hire RN Training Requirement

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

Information

All Trainings

More trainings can be found here.

UC Responder Trainer Biographies

Name	Year of Certification
Jasmine Cusic	2026
Kevin Murray	2026
Mikio Mcculloch	2026
Elizabeth Sheesley	2026
Rick Ames	2026
Celina Marie Romero	2026
Alyssa Ann Francis	2026
Caleb Henke	2026
Nick Mossakowski	2026
Maria Rodriguez	2026

About Workplace Violence and Tools

What is "Workplace Violence"?
“Workplace Violence” is defined 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.