Sentara re-launches 'Let's be kind' campaign to reduce workplace violence
According to a release, the campaign, which first launched during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, aims to reduce verbal abuse and violence against healthcare workers and in healthcare settings. Hospital & Nurses Week is from May 6-12.
Throughout the campaign, signs and banners have been placed throughout all Sentara facilities, saying, 'We want to maintain a safe and respectful environment for our team members, patients and visitors.'
'Almost 75% of workplace violence in the U.S. is committed against healthcare workers,' Senior Director for Security for Sentara Health Stephen Hollowell said. 'Hospitals are meant to be safe spaces for comfort and healing. We expect appropriate behavior from patients and visitors, and our colleagues, during all engagements. Sentara is committed to balancing a welcoming environment with a robust safety program.'
The release states that, while overall violence is down, the recent incident where deputies shot and killed a man brandishing a firearm at Sentara Albemarle Hospital in early April renewed interest in both the campaign and Sentara's Workplace Violence Prevention program. Some initiatives to come from the program can be found below:
Visitor badging systems
Weapon detection systems
Enhanced security staff
De-escalation training
Internal reporting and tele-magistrate program
Enhanced behavioral health safety in emergency departments
'Sentara is a safer place to work, thanks to our system's commitment, from the highest levels of leadership, to workplace violence prevention,' Hollowell said. 'It's not just by preventing violence but enhancing safety on our campuses and parking areas by eliminating blind spots, pruning shrubbery and upgrading lighting. It is a comprehensive program to enhance safety, so our teams can keep on fulfilling the Sentara mission to improve health every day.'
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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