One local hospital organization has gotten ahead of the curve in responding to violent scenarios with patients.
CUPE and the council of hospital unions are calling for changes in light of a survey they've done with hospital workers.
It found almost 70% of Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Personal Support Workers (PSWs) had been physically assaulted at least once in the past year.
As well 42% had suffered a sexual assault and almost half were reluctant to report incidents for fear of reprisal.
Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare believes it has developed a culture that addresses those kinds of concerns and had a mind-set of workplace safety.
Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Benson-Albers says reporting a violent situation is encouraged.
"When it does happen, they have our total support," says Benson-Albers. "We're going to be here for them whether it's debriefing a scenario to be sure that we take a look at exactly what happened, put in corrective actions to make sure it doesn't happen again"
She says they've instituted a Safe Workplace Advocate position.
"Making sure we are keeping our staff safe, that we're addressing problems as we become aware of them she does a lot of our safety planning and works closely with our occupational health and safety department."
Benson-Albers says the Lori Dupont murder changed their culture forever.
"That is when we began our journey frankly of creating our policies," she says. "Hiring the proper staff and the unique staff having a safe workplace advocate in our environment is rather unique."
Benson-Albers says HDGH is a recognized leader in this area and is often consulted by other hospitals coming to grips with violent incidents involving patients.