b'AWARENESS GUIDE|Putting the Brakes onWorkplace BullyingHealthcare professionals find themselves at increased risk of abusivebehavior in the workplace. Is your facility doing all it can to discouragethis type of conduct?By Mark McGrawL isa Tenney, RN, has been bitten,study finding that around 40 percent ofinterference that can prevent work from get-kicked, punched, pushed, pinched,registered nurses have endured the type ofting done. shoved, scratched and spat upon attreatment that Tenney has experienced.The Joint Commission also recognizes work.That same study found a higher incidencefive categories of workplace violence: threat Sharing her unnerving experience in aof bullying was associated with poorer phys- to professional status (public humiliation), 2018 Joint Commission report on physi- ical and mental health among nurses, whichthreat to personal standing (name calling, cal and verbal violence committed againstin turn decreases their quality of life asinsults, teasing), isolation (withholding healthcare workers, Tenney described thewell as their ability to deliver safe, effectiveinformation), overwork (impossible dead-intimidating, threatening behavior shespatient care. lines) and destabilization (failing to give been subjected to on the job.What type of behavior can have suchcredit where its due). I have been bullied and called veryan adverse impact? The Joint CommissionExperts say healthcare workers should be ugly names. Ive had my life, the life of mydefines bullying as repeated, health-harm- on the lookout for signs that a colleagueor unborn child, and of my other family mem- ing mistreatment of one or more personspatientis being bullied, and that health-bers threatened, requiring security escortby one or more perpetrators, and describescare providers and hospital administra-to my car.bullying as abusive conduct in the formtors must do their part to create a culture Research has shown that bullying is prev- of verbal abuse, threatening, intimidatingthat discourages this type of behavior in no ISTOCKalent in the healthcare profession, with oneor humiliating behaviors, and intentionaluncertain terms.20 AWARENESS GUIDE|2020| www.elitecme.com'