TEXAS NURSE FRIENDLY PROGRAM
 FOR SMALL AND RURAL HOSPITALS
a HRSA funded consultative grant
Information for all hospitals wanting to achieveTNA Nurse-FriendlyÔ designation available at  http://www.texasnurses.org/wkplaceadv/NF/NF.htm

Model Zero Tolerance for Abuse Policy, Product of Texas Nurses Association

Policy and Procedure

 

 Subject:                       Zero Tolerance for Abuse

 Effective date:                       

 

Policy It is the policy of ________________ (Hospital or Health Care System) to promote a work environment that is pleasant healthful, comfortable, free from intimidation, hostility, and free of abuse verbal or physical, that could interfere with work performance and the delivery of safe quality patient care within the _________________________ (Hospital or Health Care System).  The _____________________(Hospital or Health Care System has a Zero Tolerance for behavior that is verbally or physically abusive and which could interfere with work performance and the delivery of safe quality patient care. 

Employees, contracted individuals, or providers with hospital privileges who report in good faith that they have experienced abuse verbal or physical will not be subject to discrimination, retaliation, or termination, for reporting concerns to their supervisor or to the administration of the ______________ (Hospital or Health Care System).

Upon any report of alleged abusive behavior ________________________(Hospital or Health Care System will work to resolve the report through its procedure for dealing with abuse allegations.

 

Procedure:  Hospital procedures will vary based upon the hospital procedures for resolving unacceptable behavior.  However, the procedure at a minimum should:

  • Provide a procedure a person should utilize in making a report of abuse,
  • State what specific protections can be expected by the reporting individual from discrimination, retaliation, or termination,
  • Identify what procedure the organization will follow to make a determination regarding any reported abuse.
  • Provide information about expected organization action when employees, contracted individuals, or persons with practice privileges in the facility are found to have engaged in abusive behavior. 
  • Indicate how the reporting person will receive information about the outcome of the abuse report.