Are You Meeting Workplace Violence Training Requirements?

Last year, Louisiana passed legislation requiring all licensed healthcare facilities to hold annual workplace violence training for all healthcare staff members. The Joint Commission and OSHA also recommend de-escalation training as part of their workplace violence prevention standards and guidelines.

The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) lists increased staff de-escalation training and simulation as one of the key components of reducing workplace violence in their September 2022 publication, Workplace Violence Training and Prevention in Hospital-Based Healthcare: Implications for Nursing and Interdisciplinary Team in the Hospital. Healthcare leaders must address the growing national crisis of violence in healthcare by identifying an effective training program that educates staff on strategies to recognize and manage aggressive behaviors.

Developing a leader within your organization capable of training staff to identify and manage aggressive behavior is a cost-effective way to continually train staff in de-escalation techniques. These skills can potentially save lives while meeting regulatory requirements for annual workplace violence training at all levels of your organization.

To assist in meeting these regulations, LHA Trust Funds offers an annual Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB) instructor course conducted by industry leaders. We encourage your healthcare organization to take advantage of this opportunity to train a leader as a certified instructor during our three-day April 2023 training event.

MOAB Training International is a respected training and consulting organization in the U.S. and Canada that has trained thousands of organizations in state-of-the-art, proven techniques to address the aggressive behavior of individuals. MOAB training and certification programs present principles, techniques, and skills for recognizing, reducing, and managing violent and aggressive behavior.

Need more information before you decide to seize this opportunity? Here are the top five reasons your organization should develop an internal certified MOAB instructor:

1. Learn strategies that are proven to be effective and based on solid principles.

MOAB emphasizes preventing escalating physically and verbally aggressive behavior through non-verbal and verbal communication, active listening techniques, and alterations in the physical environment. Physical holds and restraint techniques are also taught and practiced in simulation for participants to learn safe techniques that prevent harm and injury to themselves and others. Mental conditioning and debriefing are also taught as training tools to develop muscle memory so techniques become second nature over time.

2. Use compassionate and humane methods that reduce harm and injury.

MOAB also emphasizes the human component of these violent encounters, including the importance of using compassionate and humane techniques to prevent harm and injury to everyone involved while defusing a crisis. An internal certified MOAB instructor can be especially helpful in assisting caregivers in exploring de-escalation as it relates to self-control and communication throughout the various stages of conflict. These techniques can help staff examine their own behavior when recognizing signs of aggression, dealing with aggressive people, and de-escalating the situation.

3. Continually train and reinforce
de-escalation techniques.

A certified internal trainer allows your organization to conduct training more frequently than just once a year. Continually reinforcing de-escalation techniques with your staff keeps them top of mind, equipping them to recognize escalating aggressive behaviors and diffuse situations before they turn violent.

Continual training also sends the message that your organization is concerned about staff well-being and committed to staff safety at work.

4. MOAB meets regulatory requirements.

Louisiana’s new legislation requires workplace violence education for healthcare staff members at least annually in a format that offers an opportunity for interactive questions and answers with individuals knowledgeable about the workplace violence prevention plan.

An active internal MOAB training program — run by a certified MOAB instructor — can be essential in helping your healthcare organization comply with the new regulations.

MOAB is an acceptable alternative to other programs that your organization may currently use. There is no regulatory requirement that stipulates a particular program or company must be used to meet the requirements of the new legislation.

Each healthcare organization should determine which program best meets its needs while still providing an effective, comprehensive program that meets the requirements of Louisiana law.

5. Certified internal instructors are cost-effective options.

Violence de-escalation instructor programs that aren’t conducted in-house can be expensive for just one annual session. Keep in mind that staff turnover may require more than one session and instructor, dramatically increasing the cost of maintaining a well-trained staff.

Potential costs include payment for instructors, which can total $1,800 - $2,000 each. Training materials, such as books, for staff members can cost thousands of dollars per year. For example, materials for 300 employees cost about $1,800.

Keeping both elements in mind, it would conservatively cost $3,600 to train a new employee as an instructor, then train all other staff members within your organization.

LHA Trust Funds partnered with MOAB 12 years ago to bring an effective, comprehensive course to our members at a cost-effective price. We subsidize approximately 80% of the instructor course fee and 100% of the cost of training materials for members. This saves your organization about $3,300.

Workplace Violence Prevention

MOAB training produces certified MOAB instructors who are the front-line experts in the ongoing struggle against workplace violence in the workplace. By investing in an internal MOAB instructor, your healthcare organization is better equipped to prevent workplace violence and keep staff safe while complying with all state workplace violence training requirements.

There’s still time to sign up for our annual MOAB course! Secure your spot today.

Want more resources about workplace violence prevention? Explore our Violence Prevention toolkit.

Stacie Jenkins, RN, MSN, CPSO
Vice President of Patient Safety and Risk, LHA Trust Funds

Stacie Jenkins is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in nursing informatics. She has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, working in patient care and quality/performance improvement positions. As the Vice President of Patient Safety & Risk at LHA Trust Funds, she works closely with hospital administrators, risk managers, and nursing staff to improve patient safety and establish best practices. She conducts on-site assessments and gives presentations designed to help clients address their patient safety risk management challenges.