WASHINGTON STATUTES AND CODES

49.19.030 - Violence prevention training.

Violence prevention training.

By July 1, 2001, and on a regular basis thereafter, as set forth in the plan developed under RCW 49.19.020, each health care setting shall provide violence prevention training to all its affected employees as determined by the plan. The training shall occur within ninety days of the employee's initial hiring date unless he or she is a temporary employee. For temporary employees, training would take into account unique circumstances. The training may vary by the plan and may include, but is not limited to, classes, videotapes, brochures, verbal training, or other verbal or written training that is determined to be appropriate under the plan. The training shall address the following topics, as appropriate to the particular setting and to the duties and responsibilities of the particular employee being trained, based upon the hazards identified in the assessment required under RCW 49.19.020:

     (1) General safety procedures;

     (2) Personal safety procedures;

     (3) The violence escalation cycle;

     (4) Violence-predicting factors;

     (5) Obtaining patient history from a patient with violent behavior;

     (6) Verbal and physical techniques to de-escalate and minimize violent behavior;

     (7) Strategies to avoid physical harm;

     (8) Restraining techniques;

     (9) Appropriate use of medications as chemical restraints;

     (10) Documenting and reporting incidents;

     (11) The process whereby employees affected by a violent act may debrief;

     (12) Any resources available to employees for coping with violence; and

     (13) The health care setting's workplace violence prevention plan.