Showing empathy during a crisis can help to de-escalate the situation.

When a person comes to the hospital, it is usually because they are experiencing physical pain, or they are there in support of a loved one who is experiencing pain or illness.  Because we do not know everything about a person, we may not know what triggers them.   

The reasons for the aggression vary: patients’ anger and confusion about their medical conditions and care; grief over the decline of hospitalized loved ones; frustration while trying to get attention amid staffing shortages, especially in nursing; delirium and dementia; mental health disorders; political and social issues; and gender and race discrimination.

Due to these factors, we must always show empathy to our hospital visitors.  Even though we may not know all the details, we can always show kindness. 

(https://www.aamc.org/news/threats-against-health-care-workers-are-rising-heres-how-hospitals-are-protecting-their-staffs)

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

• Reporting Workplace Violence
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• About Workplace Violence & Tools

Contact the Workplace Violence Prevention Unit:

• ViolencePrevention@ucdavis.edu