Caring for patients, residents, and community clients exposes healthcare workers to unique and specific hazards \u2013 such as communicable diseases, ergonomic risks, and physical violence. These risk factors impact workers and can negatively affect patients, residents, families, and the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In British Columbia, healthcare workers comprise about 12 percent of the workforce, but their injury rate is around 700 percent greater than the provincial average. About a third of injuries in the healthcare sector are related to overexertion \u2013 including musculoskeletal injuries like back, shoulder, neck, and wrist injuries. Almost 60 percent of injury claims related to workplace violence come from healthcare and social services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the statistics, the human cost of injury can take a heavy toll. When a healthcare professional injures their back while moving a patient or suffers a fracture due to an incident of violence \u2013 the result is not just lost time at work. Injuries can contribute to limited mobility, chronic pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Injured workers may struggle with performing daily activities, impacting their ability to enjoy their hobbies and social life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many workers leave the field due to acute or chronic injuries, contributing to the enormous challenges related to staffing shortages in healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health and safety leadership in healthcare must go beyond mere compliance; it's a moral, ethical, and economic imperative that directly impacts staff well-being, patient and resident care, and organizational success. Imagine going to work every day knowing you have a 700% higher chance of being injured than workers in other industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Healthcare workers show up every day to care for others. But who is caring for them? As healthcare leaders, we have a moral obligation to protect them<\/em> from workplace injury and illness. When a worker is injured \u2013 or made ill \u2013 a cascade effect impacts the people they care for, their families, colleagues, and the healthcare system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It's crucial to remember that even seemingly \"minor\" injuries can significantly impact a healthcare worker's physical and mental health. The emotional trauma associated with workplace violence can be particularly profound and long-lasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaders are critical in developing a culture of care in their community by supporting an environment where the well-being, safety, and value of everyone \u2013 patients, residents AND staff \u2013 are prioritized. A culture of care emphasizes physical and psychological safety \u2013 caring for those who care for others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected, healthcare leaders can create supporting environments that reduce injury, improve staff morale, reduce turnover, and foster better patient, resident, and client experiences. What is your organization doing to prioritize health and safety?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to lessening human costs, reducing workplace injuries can decrease compensation claims and lower insurance premiums. Fewer injuries also contribute to reduced absenteeism, improved staff retention and productivity, and enhanced reputation\u2013leading to better recruitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2023, 101,714 work days were lost to injury in affiliate long-term care homes alone! These days are equivalent to losing 406 full-time employees from the sector. High turnover is a significant expense for healthcare organizations \u2013 exacerbated by skilled worker shortages and high competition for talent. A healthcare worker's average turnover cost in Canada is around $30,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Factors that contribute to the high cost of turnover include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The high cost of turnover in healthcare highlights the importance of investing in a culture of safety. When healthcare workers feel safe and valued, they are less likely to leave their jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leaders play a crucial role in creating a culture of safety in the workplace. When leaders visibly champion health and safety, it sends a powerful message that it is a top priority. Here are some practical ways leaders can demonstrate their commitment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Safety leadership makes a difference \u2013 for everyone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A strong safety culture in the healthcare workplace creates a safer environment for workers, patients, residents, and clients. Prioritizing health and safety is not just the RIGHT<\/strong> thing to do; it's the SMART<\/strong> thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I urge every healthcare leader to make this the year they prioritize safety\u2013conduct a safety culture assessment, engage your staff, and implement a comprehensive safety action plan. Let's make healthcare a place where everyone thrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDollars and cents: The economic case for health and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Beyond Compliance: What true health and safety leadership looks like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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