Kootenai Health addresses clinical violence with staff training

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho – Safety for hospital staff has become a pressing issue at Kootenai Health, where clinical violence is being addressed with increased focus.

Mental health specialist Kimberly Windsor explained the measures in place, emphasizing the importance of quick response. "And if you hit this button it actually will make a noise and everyone will come running," she said.

Lisa Bunker, chair of the Workplace Violence Committee, shared insights into the current situation. "And so in the last 12 months there have been 235 incidents of clinical violence at Kootenai Health," she said. Bunker also noted that seven of these cases required significant medical attention.

Kootenai Health has implemented comprehensive training and procedures, including the use of walkie-talkies with a "ma