AHA podcast explores how to reduce hospital violence

An American Hospital Association podcast explores how St. Louis Children’s Hospital uses proactive intervention, behavioral assessments and de-escalation techniques to reduce patient escalations. Its behavioral assessment response team ─ available at all hours to meet with patients at risk for escalating ─ consists of behavioral health RNs and associates. The team identifies patients with behavioral needs and establishes relationships with them to build trust and reduce the likelihood of violence. The team also connects with staff to ensure they adhere to patient behavioral plans. During shift changes, teams share reports about high-need patients and run reports through Epic on patients identified at high risk of escalating. Since employing the team, the hospital has reduced its workplace injury recordable events in half.