Building a Safer Workplace
MaineHealth Waldo Hospital Security care team members Phil Taylor, front, and Ashton Merrill stand outside the behavioral health rooms inside the hospital’s emergency department.
Building a Safer Workplace
MaineHealth Waldo Hospital Security care team members Phil Taylor, front, and Ashton Merrill stand outside the behavioral health rooms inside the hospital’s emergency department.
As part of our intensive effort to address workplace violence (WPV) at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals, new safety initiatives have been implemented on both hospital campuses and off campus locations in the past year.
The WPV assessments performed throughout FY23 and FY24 highlighted many opportunities for safety improvements in our facilities. To date, more than 200 new initiatives have been identified between the two hospitals and surrounding buildings, all part of our systemwide goal of preventing and reducing violent incidents in the workplace.
“Care team members want to feel safe when they come to work, and their safety is our top priority. Our teams have worked diligently to identify necessary upgrades and develop solutions to help mitigate potential problems. I’m very proud of the progress we have made and the progress we continue to make.”
– Tyson Thornton, PharmD, FACHE, Vice President of Operations for MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals
This ongoing safety work is crucial in a health care landscape that has seen workplace violence incidents become more widespread. Locally, the total number of incidents between MHPBH and MHWH rose from FY21 to FY23, with 119 in FY21, 125 in FY22 and 225 in FY23.
This past fiscal year WPV events decreased by 52% from FY23, as measures continue to be implemented and more projects identified.
MHPBH and MHWH have also entered into a new agreement with the Maine Hospital Association, allowing the MHA access to both hospitals’ WPV data. The MHA can then share that data, along with the data from other hospitals around the state, with state and federal agencies for review and analysis.
“This agreement will provide state and U.S. senators and representatives a greater understanding of what our care team members are enduring,” said Tyson. “We are hopeful that as more of this data becomes available, meaningful action will take place. We want to provide an inclusive environment where all care team members can feel safe and supported and thrive to realize their full potential.”
Safety Enhancements at MHPBH and MHWH
Some of the safety enhancements implemented include:
- In May 2024, our Emergency Management and Preparedness team held workplace violence “Train the Trainer” classes for all departments at MHPBH and MHWH to support care team members with practical response knowledge in crisis events, including active shooter scenarios. The trainings covered how to recognize, prevent and respond to workplace violence.
- Twenty-five new cameras have been installed at MHPBH and eight new cameras installed at MHWH, providing views of highly trafficked areas.
- Twenty-five new badge access locations were installed at MHPBH and 19 installed at MHWH.
- At MHPBH, we’ve installed panic buttons in the emergency department acute psych (EDAP) area and distributed wearable panic buttons to our ED care team members as a more emergent way to call for help. These are part of 36 new panic buttons installed between both hospitals.