DEERFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison is leading the charge with a measure that would establish emergency room workplace violence reporting requirements.
“Professionals should not have to worry about violence when working in the health care setting,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is reported that health care workers are five times more likely to suffer from a workplace violence injury than workers overall. Frontline workers can’t keep waiting– we must act now.”
According to a poll conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians, 91% of physicians said they or a colleague experienced violence in the past year.
To address this, Senate Bill 2713 would require health care providers to develop a system for emergency room employees to report incidents of violence to a health care worker.
Further, providers would not be permitted to maintain policies that limits employee’s ability to contact or file a report with law enforcement or Illinois Department of Public Health regarding workplace violence.
Lastly, the measure would require each provider to submit a report to IDPH summarizing the incidents of violence that have occurred. Once reports are submitted, IDPH would be required to provide an annual, compiled summary to the General Assembly detailing violence incident reports they received.
“Establishing reporting procedures is a positive first step toward ensuring health care workers are able to work safely, and give timely, compassionate care to those who need it,” said Morrison.
Senate Bill 2713 passed the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.
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