Healthcare DIVE November 29, 2022
The CMS is warning hospitals of their duty to protect patients and employees from on-site violence amid growing concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting staffing shortages have spurred a rise in violent incidents.
Hospitals must effectively mitigate risks to ensure patients and staff are safe as part of their Medicare certification, the agency said in a Monday memo, noting that some facilities have received citations for failing to do so.
In one cited instance, a nurse in an understaffed unit was sexually assaulted by a behavioral health patient, according to the CMS.
In another, a patient was shot in their hospital room by off-duty police officers after the patient caused a scene and staff failed to appropriately deescalate.
“It...
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