Healthcare Safety Toolkit Library

Violence in healthcare has escalated over the years and constitutes approximately 74% of workplace violence events reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is imperative that organizational leaders develop plans to prevent violence and train staff to identify and de-escalate violent behaviors as well as respond appropriately when an event occurs. This toolkit contains many resources to help facilitate the development of comprehensive violence prevention programs within your organization.

Maternal health encompasses the health of the pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period in women’s healthcare. Healthcare provider’s goals in maternal care are to reduce morbidity and mortality by providing safe, quality services to the mother and her baby. This objective can be accomplished by identifying risks, educating patients and following recommended guidelines of evidence-based practice. This toolkit supplies resources to benefit in the improvement of maternal health.

The Center for Health Design has pulled together resources to assist healthcare organizations keep environmental surfaces safe, proper cleaning processes and building an infection prevention program.

The CDC provides resources on airbone contaminants, ventilation specifications and air sampling.

ASHE provides recommendations for facility issues such as patient entrance and flow patterns, isolation processes, emergency management and security plans as we progress through the pandemic.

ASHE provides an assessment tool for specific issues occuring in the area of facilities management as it relates to COVID-19 processes. It assesses the immediate, short and long term issues including inspection and testing, sustainability and the new normal.

Due to the high rate of vaccine administrations across the U.S., there may be a shortage in the supply of FDA cleared sharps disposal containers. This resource provides tips on ways to minimize the potential shortage.

The Association for the Health Care Environment provides an advisory on the COVID-19 virus and ways to minimize the spread of the virus.

Although it is healthcare's goal to maintain a safe environment at all times, violence remains a significant concern today. It is vital to implement processes to prevent workplace violence. Security practices can include an array of methods. The following documents provide best practices and alternative approaches that may be applied when handling violent encounters.

Reducing the risk of encountering an active shooter situation is important to any business, especially healthcare. These resources provide tools on how to plan what to do in the event of an active shooter/violent situation.

Acitve shooter events are increasing more and more across the U.S. and the experts have developed tools to help the lay person identify a potential active shooter as a risk reduction strategy.

Healthcare organizations should take the possiblity of an active shooter event occuring in their facility very seriously. These resources provide key tactics on managing violent and disruptive behavior as a risk reduction process.

Active shooter training is vital for all staff in a healthcare organization as they are the eyes and ears of the facility. These resources help ensure staff are trained and prepared to address violent/aggressive behavior/situations.