Compliance with Washington State RCW 49.19: Safety in Healthcare Settings
In line with Washington State’s enactment of RCW 49.19, which mandates the development of violence prevention plans, all employees within healthcare settings are required to undergo violence prevention training. Northwest Crisis Training’s curriculum aligns with these legislative requirements, as detailed below.
Utilizing Edgework methodology, we emphasize understanding the cycle of aggression and applying techniques to de-escalate potential violence. Our training includes identifying behaviors and indicators that signal an escalation toward aggression, as well as effective response strategies to mitigate risks. Participants will also learn general safety guidelines and additional strategies aimed at preventing physical harm.
While our standard classes do not automatically include hands-on training, we can seamlessly incorporate interactive, stress-free “mock” scenarios that allow employees to practice the skills learned in our sessions.
In our full-day courses, we allocate time for healthcare organizations to address their specific needs, including discussions about their violence prevention plans, incident documentation and reporting procedures, debriefing protocols following violent incidents, and available resources for employee support.
We are committed to tailoring our training programs to meet the unique requirements of each organization while ensuring compliance with legal mandates. For more information, please contact us.
Key Provisions of RCW 49.19.030: Violence Prevention Training
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Training Requirement: By July 1, 2020, and on a regular basis thereafter, each healthcare setting must provide violence prevention training to all applicable employees, volunteers, and contracted security personnel, as determined by their violence prevention plan.
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Timing of Training: Training must occur within ninety days of an employee’s initial hire date, except for temporary employees.
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Training Methods and Frequency: Training methods may vary according to the strategies identified in the plan, including interactive sessions, hands-on training, video presentations, brochures, and other verbal or written materials.
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Topics Covered:
- The healthcare setting’s workplace violence prevention plan
- General safety procedures
- Predictive behaviors and risk factors related to violence
- The cycle of violence escalation
- De-escalation techniques to minimize violent behavior
- Strategies to prevent physical harm, with hands-on practice or role-playing
- Response team processes
- Proper application of restraints, both physical and chemical
- Incident documentation and reporting
- Debriefing processes for affected employees
- Resources available for coping with the effects of violence
By adhering to these guidelines, Northwest Crisis Training ensures that organizations are well-prepared to address the challenges posed by violence in healthcare settings.