100H - Healing the Healers: Our Journey to Support Workforce Mental Health and Well-Being Following an Active Killer Incident

Wednesday, March 22

3:15–4:15 p.m.

While healthcare workers and leaders are still reeling from the tsunami of challenges caused by the pandemic, they are also experiencing a surge in workplace violence. The AHA reported that 44% of nurses experienced physical violence and 68% experienced verbal abuse during the pandemic. Unfortunately, this increased violence is also reflected in active killer incidents in healthcare settings. The industry has developed and adopted various policies and practices to protect and promote the safety of our communities and teams. Our work to achieve zero harm in BJC Healthcare St. Charles County has taken us on a journey to ensure psychological, emotional and spiritual safety as well. The May 2022 shooting incident at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital reinforced the need to proactively address the mental health needs of the team following incidents of workplace violence. In the new healthcare reality, identifying and closing gaps in support after these events are critical.

This educational session will provide insights into the impacts of workplace violence on the healthcare workforce; provide a framework for identifying and closing gaps in support; share tools that can be used to prevent, de-escalate or mitigate the impacts of workplace violence; and show how collaboration and leveraging existing resources in new ways can support and restore mental health and well-being. The use of an actual case study and discussion/activity templates will provide immediate take-home tools to address workplace violence.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the implications of increased workplace violence and active killer incidents on workforce stress and trauma.
• Enhance your and your organization’s ability to proactively support and respond to the mental health, well-being and healing needs of the team.