Illinois Legislation Progresses: Mandated Reporting of...

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — With nearly ten years of experience in healthcare, Kerstin Huffman entered the field driven by a passion for helping others. However, she often finds that both she and her fellow professionals are the ones who need assistance.

“No matter your specialty, there’s always an element of risk that comes with the job,” Huffman remarked, highlighting the daily hazards healthcare workers face.

Community violence intervention groups continue to advocate for increased support in Springfield.

Among all professions, healthcare workers are the most vulnerable to workplace violence.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers are the victims in 73% of non-fatal incidents of workplace violence.

“When I was pregnant with my oldest, I was hit in the face by a patient while providing care. I was not seriously injured. And at the time, I was the only doctor on duty. I chose to keep working. I didn’t report it,” Donaldson said.

Donaldson said it’s a culture prevalent in almost all hospitals.

Healthcare workers are expected to endure the attacks and continue to work without reporting it.

Nurse David Martucci said it is often hospital management pressuring nurses into not reporting.

“Many nurses are told that they’re not allowed to report violence, they’re not allowed to talk with police,” Martucci said.

With no documentation from a report, many nurses cant pursue worker’s compensation claims.

Martucci recalls an attack on one of his co-workers where her head was slammed into a wall. His co-worker had to stop working entirely, and he said three years after that attack, she still hasn’t been compensated.

But now, lawmakers in Springfield are close to passing a bill that could force hospitals to document these attacks.

“This should be the top thing that they’re addressing and focusing on is our safety. The healthcare system is in shambles, and the nurses are being abused every day,” Huffman said.

If hospitals don’t comply with reporting requirements, they could face a fine of up to $500 a day.

Huffman said the benefits of the bill go far beyond the healthcare workers it would support.

Burnout is a top issue in the industry, and attacks are often what pushes healthcare workers out of the field.

But Huffman, Martucci and Donaldson all believe that stricter reporting requirements could help cut down on burnout.

The more doctors and nurses stay on the job, the more people have access to healthcare.

“It is not that we don’t have nurses,” Huffman said. “It is that we’re sick and tired of being abused all the time.”

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Illinois Legislation Progresses: Mandated Reporting of Healthcare Worker Attacks Moves Forward

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