Whatcom Hospice, 2800 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA
98225 360.733.5877 Fax: 360.788.6884
Editor/Volunteer Coordinator: Dianne Gillespie
360.788.6892 [email protected]
Hospice House Volunteer Associates: 360.788.6885.
Noreen Fassler: [email protected]
Amie Carr: [email protected]
Whatcom Hospice Manager: Patricia MacDonald
[email protected]
VOLUNTEER VOICES
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A Prog ra m of Pea ceHea lth St. Joseph Medica
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October 2016
October Education
“Memories in Song”
Music for Alzheimer’s &
Dementia
Tuesday, October 11th, 10:00—12:00
Hospice Lower Level Conference Room
November Volunteer Education
Avoid a Meltdown at our
Sock Snowman Workshop &
We will view the DVD “Music & Gems” by Teepa Snow,
and then experience some Altus Oscillation(TM) enhanced
music which has been proven to produce some or all of
the following characteristics in dementia patients:
 Amplified brain activity in the frontal or parietal lobe
 Greater alertness to the present moment
 Demonstrated calmness and contentment
 Increased animation by singing or humming along
with the music
 Increased symmetrical brain activity
There is a warning on the label, however: “Due to
relaxation and possible drowsiness DO NOT operate a
motor vehicle or machinery when listening to our
products.” Dianne will make sure you are sufficiently
awake before allowing you to drive home!
Contact Dianne if you plan to come.
Card-Making for Hospice
November 9th, 4:00—6:00 p.m.
Hospice Lower Level Conference Room
“Sock snowmen?” What do these have to do with
volunteering for hospice? Well, Michelle Walsh will
show us how to make these fun and fluffy snowmen as a
stress reliever. She says even men love making them.
They’re easy (even Michelle who is not crafty can make
them!). Supplies will be provided, or bring your own socks
(clean, of course! Baby or child’s socks for hats). Design
your own snow-people! Just in time for the holidays! Kids
and grandkids are welcome too.
Also, those of you who missed the card-making
workshop and wanted it offered again, we will bring
back the card-making supplies, and you can make cards
instead of snowmen. Or you can do both!
Contact Dianne if you plan to attend.
The Caregiver Craft Fair
The Caregiver Craft Fair has been set for Friday, Nov. 4, 9:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the main campus of the hospital. This
year, tables will be in the hospital entryway, down the hallway
to the cafeteria and inside of the cafeteria. (Extra space, if
needed, will be in conference rooms 5 and 6.)
Volunteer Help is Still Needed for the
Celebration of Light Service
The craft fair is open to all employees and volunteers of PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. All items must be noncommercial and hand-made. Cost of reserving a space is $30.
Sunday, November 13, 2016 3—4 pm
We’ve had a few responses, but Cookie Baking,
Hosting, Setting Up, and Packing Up are still needed.
Contact Dianne if you can help. St. Luke’s Health
Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham.
To receive a registration form, contact Carol Brumet at 7888220 or [email protected].
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PeaceHealth Workplace Violence Help
Parts 1-3. Part 4 will follow next month.
What and Who Might be a Threat?
Do you know what to do if a fellow caregiver or patient’s loved one starts to get threatening or even violent? Do
you know what to do if one of them shows signs of domestic violence?
Health care communities can be places of high stress: for caregivers, patients, family members and loved ones.
What is a threat?
A threat is any behavior perceived as threatening by the recipient. A workplace threat may occur anywhere throughout a hospital, clinic, or administration building, including parking structures and grounds.
These behaviors may include:
 Disruptive activity in the workplace
 Threatening or hostile behavior, verbal and non-verbal
 Possession of a dangerous weapon – absolutely not permitted anywhere in PeaceHealth except by those licensed to do so such as law enforcement. All caregivers are responsible to notify security and their coworkers.
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Violation of restraining orders
Stalking
Sabotaging the workplace
Willful misuse of equipment as a weapon
Not all threats will have warning signs
Who could be a threat?
Patients, their families, and friends. All of these can be very unpredictable. Threatening behavior may be triggered
by a behavioral health condition, an argument, anger at the quality of service, denial of service, delays, or some other
precipitating event. The majority of health care workplace violence involves patients.
Other caregivers face pressures, long hours, and increased stress may interfere with an individual’s ability to cope.
Related parties, someone with a personal relationship with a caregiver — for example, an abusive spouse or domestic partner – can quickly become a threat.
Criminals, people with no other connection with the PeaceHealth workplace, can enter to commit robbery or another crime. In many cases, the criminal is carrying a gun or other weapon, increasing the likelihood that the victim
will be killed or seriously wounded.
PeaceHealth offers multiple resources to all caregivers to recognize, prevent, de-escalate, and react appropriately to
workplace threats and violence.
Know your PeaceHealth resources before you need them:
 Your Security Department
 PeaceHealth Workplace Violence Prevention policy
 Your supervisor
 Caregiver Resource Center 855-333-6947
 Call 911 as directed or instructed for your location
 Spiritual Care Department
 Electronic Incident Report
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What are the Warning Signs of Violence? Look for:
 Intimidating or aggressive behavior
 Direct or indirect threats
 Caregivers or patients bringing weapons to the workplace, or caregivers who seem overly fascinated with firearms and/or violence
 Per policy, weapons are not to be brought onto PeaceHealth premises by the general public or by caregivers.
 Law enforcement, emergency responders, and anyone who has dangerous equipment as part of their official job
duties are exceptions.
 Caregivers who appear to be going through a difficult time
 Caregivers who suddenly start showing up late or not showing up at all that previously were always on time
 Contempt for caregivers and/or providers. The majority of health care workplace violence involves patients.
 Anyone acting abnormally, being uncooperative or paranoid, displaying anxiety, intimidation, disrespect or verbal abuse
Remember, not all threats or acts of violence will have warning signs.
What do I do?
Be aware of the behavior of everyone in your work environment.
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Be calm.
Keep yourself safe.
Respect personal space.
Use language of caring.
 Keep your badge secure. It’s a key!
Report concerns to your supervisor or security.
Use the following tips to avoid escalation:
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Be empathetic and non-judgmental. Use Language of Caring skills with people who are anxious.
Clarify messages and acknowledge feelings.
Ignore challenging questions to avoid power struggles.
Allow verbal venting when possible.
Set and enforce reasonable limits.
Keep your nonverbal communication nonthreatening. Be aware of your gestures, tone of voice, and movements.
Do not overreact – your response will impact the person’s behavior.
Use “I” statements with the upset person, such as:
 “I can see you’re upset. Please lower your voice. I would like to try and help you.”
 “Shouting is disruptive to the care of our patients. Please lower your voice.”
 “It creates concern when you point your finger at others.”
Escalation and What to do About It
Health care communities can be places of high stress: for caregivers, patients, family members and loved ones. When
threats start to escalate, workplace violence becomes more probable.
What are signs of stress escalating toward violence?
 Swearing
 Yelling
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Challenging
Arguing with people
Refusing to obey PeaceHealth policies or procedures
Sabotaging equipment or stealing property for revenge
Verbalizing wishes to hurt people
Stalking, harassing, or showing undue focus on another person
Making direct or indirect threats (in person, in writing, by phone)
Viewing himself or herself as victimized (me against them) and talk about “getting even”
Suicidal threats
Physical fights or assaults
Pounding on desks
Punching walls
Angrily jumping up and down
Damage or destruction of property
Throwing or striking objects
Shaking fists
Use or concealment of a weapon to harm others
What can I do?
For verbal threat:
 Take all threats seriously – you never know when a person will act on a threat.
 Be direct, confident, and set reasonable, enforceable limits.
 Provide choices for offender to decide.
 Remain calm and speak clearly.
 Avoid an audience.
 Other staff should standby in a show of support for safety, professionalism, and as witnesses.
 Secure the safety of self and others, if necessary.
 Immediately contact your supervisor and/or Security department.
 Ask questions about the complaint, such as, “I want to help you, but I’m not feeling safe when you say that you
are going to hurt us. Can you help us?”
Document the observed behavior in question by filing an Electronic Incident Report.
For physical threat:
 Secure your personal safety first.
 Leave the area if safety is at risk.
 Get help. Remain calm and contact your supervisor.
 Call Security department as soon as possible.
 Call 911 as directed or instructed.
 Show of support for the person under potential threat.
 Cooperate with law enforcement when they have responded to the situation. Be prepared to provide a description of the violent or threatening individual, details of what was observed, and the exact location of the incident.
 Document the observed behavior in question by filing an Electronic Incident Report.
 Once verbal or physical threat tension is reduced, re-establish rapport and establish a plan to prevent it from
happening again. Give the person options.
More to come.
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