Protecting Health Care Workers: Navigating Texas’ Workplace Violence Law

This article is sponsored by PointClickCare.

For health care professionals, especially those working in emergency departments (EDs), the risk of being physically attacked by a patient is no longer a rare occurrence. Alarmingly, most nurses have experienced workplace violence and nearly half have seen a rise in rates in the past year.

In response, Texas is stepping up with Senate Bill 240 — Chapter 331 of the Texas Healthcare and Safety Code — which will go into effect this September. This landmark legislation requires health care facilities to implement robust workplace violence prevention plans. The law creates a pressing need for hospitals and clinics to take action, but it also presents a challenge: how to balance compliance with the growing behavioral health needs of patients in high-stress environments like EDs.

Why Workplace Violence Must Be Addressed Now

The rise in workplace violence doesn’t just affect the well-being of health care workers — it also contributes to staff burnout and high turnover rates. This, in turn, threatens hospitals’ ability to maintain consistent care at a time when staffing shortages are already a significant concern. In fact, six in 10 RNs report having changed or left their job or profession or considered leaving their job due to workplace violence.

The situation is particularly severe in EDs. Increased patient volumes, extended wait times, and a higher incidence of mental health crises have all contributed to a rise in aggression and violence. To tackle this challenge, health care organizations must create comprehensive strategies that not only protect their workforce but also comply with the new legislation.

Using Technology to Improve Safety and Meet Compliance

Technology is proving to be an essential tool for ensuring compliance with Texas’ new workplace violence prevention requirements. Real-time data integration and alert systems are among the most powerful solutions available, enabling health care staff to identify potential threats and take proactive measures before violence escalates.

For example, Sturdy Memorial Hospital uses real-time alerts integrated into its electronic health records (EHRs) to notify staff of high-risk patients. These alerts allow health care professionals to take precautionary steps to protect themselves and their patients, minimizing the risk of violence. Sturdy Memorial has seen a measurable impact through this system, with a 15% decrease in completed assaults after implementing real-time alerts, multidisciplinary team reviews, and proactive interventions.

In addition to these real-time alerts, forward-thinking health care organizations are incorporating behavioral health solutions into their workplace safety efforts. Sturdy Memorial, for instance, has hired behavioral health nurses who are specifically trained to manage behavioral health patients in the ED. This ensures that these patients receive the extra attention needed to de-escalate situations, further reducing incidents of violence and the need for restraints. Systems that provide real-time notifications about patients with behavioral health-related risks, along with 24/7 support from community workers, offer critical interventions during crises, helping to keep both staff and patients safe.

Behavioral Health: A Key Component of Prevention

Workplace safety is often tied to the behavioral health challenges faced by many patients. EDs, however, are often not equipped to handle these complex needs, which can lead to repeated visits and an increased risk of violent incidents. But there’s hope — integrating behavioral health support can make a real difference.

Take the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB), for example. By using notifications to alert care teams of patients with repeated ED visits for behavioral health-related issues, RACSB has been able to coordinate care more effectively. In addition, they’ve used data to identify key social determinants of health, such as homelessness, that contribute to patient instability. By addressing these factors through targeted interventions, RACSB has reduced ED visits by one-third and cut state psychiatric hospital admissions by 94%.

The Power of Multidisciplinary Teams and Proactive Planning

A strong workplace violence prevention strategy relies on collaboration. Multidisciplinary teams — including professionals from nursing, risk management, security, and behavioral health — are key to developing safety plans that address both immediate threats and long-term risks.

For Texas hospitals, compliance with the new law is not only a regulatory requirement but also an opportunity to foster a safer workplace. By creating proactive, multidisciplinary safety approaches, hospitals can strengthen their safety culture, boost staff retention, and ultimately improve patient care.

The Path Forward

As Senate Bill 240 takes effect, health care leaders across Texas must act quickly to implement the technological solutions necessary to meet legislative requirements and protect their workforce. By leveraging real-time data, integrating behavioral health management, and fostering collaboration across departments, health care organizations can not only comply with the new law but also create safer, more secure environments for both staff and patients.

The road ahead may be challenging, but with the right tools and strategies in place, Texas hospitals can rise to the occasion — ensuring a future where workplace violence is no longer a daily threat to health care workers.