SYRACUSE — Five more Central New York hospitals and health systems have joined the Respect and Heal campaign, which is aimed at ensuring the “safe and respectful treatment” of health-care workers. Carthage Area Hospital, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg, Oneida Health, Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, and the UHS System brings the total number of […]
SYRACUSE — Five more Central New York hospitals and health systems have joined the Respect and Heal campaign, which is aimed at ensuring the “safe and respectful treatment” of health-care workers. Carthage Area Hospital, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg, Oneida Health, Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, and the UHS System brings the total number of participants in the campaign to 12, per the April 25 announcement on the website of Upstate Medical University. Seven other regional hospitals and health systems announced their commitment to the campaign in October 2023. They were: Mohawk Valley Health System, Auburn Community Hospital, Crouse Health, Oswego Health, Rome Health, St. Joseph’s Health, and Upstate University Hospital. The campaign — initiated by Upstate University Hospital — was started in response to rising incidents of violent, disrespectful, and disruptive behavior aimed at health-care workers. “We welcome our health-care colleagues in this joint effort to ensure the safe and respectful treatment of our health care team members,” Dr. Robert Corona, CEO of Upstate University Hospital, said in the announcement. “Together, I’m certain we can make a difference on this important issue.” Part of the Respect and Heal platform addresses federal and state legislation that provides more penalties for individuals who knowingly and intentionally assault or intimidate hospital employees. “Samaritan Caregivers deserve a safe and courteous workplace so they can care for our patients and residents,” Thomas Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center, said. “The uptick in workplace violence from patients and visitors at Samaritan towards our caregivers is concerning. Being part of the Respect and Heal campaign is showing a united front that local healthcare will not tolerate violent, disrespectful, and disruptive behavior. Together, we can educate our communities and provide clear expectations.”
Officials say bringing together health-care leaders to speak in one voice demonstrates a vigorous commitment to “fostering a culture of safety and respect that values the physical and psychological well-being of healthcare workers and patients,” officials say. John Carrigg, president and CEO of United Health Services, believes it’s a campaign that UHS should be involved in.
“Workplace violence comes at a high cost, but it can be prevented, and we have committed the resources to do so,” Carrigg said in the Upstate announcement. “As we unite with like-minded healthcare institutions across Central New York for stronger standards and expectations, this effort also supports the vast majority of patients and families who are very grateful for our staff and services. Both our patients and our caregivers expect and deserve an environment where we can deliver great clinical care and focus on healing.” When the Respect and Heal campaign was announced last October, Upstate’s Corona underscored the major goal of the campaign: “that all staff will be treated with respect, and that we redouble our commitment and implement and strengthen violence prevention strategies to ensure a safe healing environment for our health care workforce and patients.”