OSHA: Ohio children's hospital didn't protect workers from violence

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A Columbus children's hospital failed to protect employees -- including nurses and mental health professionals -- from patients whose bites, kicks, punches and other assaults caused serious injuries, a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found.

Responding to a complaint of unsafe working conditions, investigators with the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation in November 2022 at the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

OSHA determined the facility did not protect its employees from violent incidents involving the hospital's patients in which nurses and mental health staff suffered concussions, lacerations, contusions and sprains. 

The agency also learned the facility failed to keep proper records of employee injuries as required.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT?

"Behavioral healthcare workers can be exposed to risks when treating patients who suffer with conditions that can lead to violent outbursts," said OSHA Area Director Larry Johnson. "Unfortunately, Nationwide Children's Hospital failed to take the necessary precautions that could have prevented their employees from being injured."

The Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children's Hospital provides acute behavioral health services with intensive outpatient programs. The second largest pediatric hospital in the U.S., Nationwide Children's Hospital accepts more than 1.5 million patient visits each year at 68 facilities across Ohio and around the world. It employs about 12,000 hospitals and 1,000 medical staff.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

THE LARGER TREND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. healthcare workers experienced a whopping 249% increase in injury and illness rates in 2020 while serving patients. In fact, workers in the healthcare and social-assistance industries combined suffered more injuries and illnesses than workers in any industry in the nation, according to a 2022 OSHA report.

An effective way to combat workplace injury and illness, said OSHA, is to create and use a proactive safety and health program to address hazards and to endorse training and preventive measures that keep workers safe.

In addition to the routine risks faced by healthcare workers, workplace violence in hospitals has become a more pressing issue in recent years, so much so that the union National Nurses United wants federal prevention standards that mirror California legislation, which is considered the gold standard.

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: Jeff.Lagasse@himssmedia.com