The health care environment creates potentially emotional situations. Whether a patient has an unplanned trip to the E.R. or a prescheduled surgery, treating a health concern and coming to UF Health can be overwhelming. Patients may react out of fear, anxiety or stress, and may not be able to communicate in a constructive manner.

Our faculty and staff must often manage emotionally charged situations. UF Health offers resources that help build staff awareness and hospitality and service skills for use with patients and visitors in all situations. However, it’s also necessary to protect our workers in case they face possibly hostile or threatening interactions. A new resource for information is the UF Health Bridge Workplace Safety and Violence Prevention site.

The site provides links to important resources that support our workers. It includes information about safety protocols, crime prevention classes, security contact phone numbers and other available options for faculty and staff provided by UF Health Shands, UF Health Physicians, UF, the UF Police Department and UF Health Jacksonville. The site was suggested by the UF Health Shands Violence Prevention Taskforce, spearheaded by Irene Alexaitis, D.N.P., R.N., NEA-BC, UF Health Shands Hospital chief nursing officer and Nursing and Patient Services vice president.

“For the first time, faculty and staff across UF Health can now locate safety and violence prevention information in the same place. Nurses in Gainesville can find information about our de-escalation course, staff in Jacksonville can review emergency plans and UF employees can pinpoint their HR resources,” Alexaitis said. “No matter where you work, you’ll find information that meets your needs.”

Visit Bridge.UFHealth.org/workplace-safety or click the “Workplace Safety & Violence Prevention” link located under the “Policies & Procedures” tab on the homepage.

Alexaitis added, “We understand that health care is a rewarding but challenging industry, and we’re committed to keeping you safe and helping you succeed in your role.”

Our UF Health faculty, residents, staff and volunteers can explore safety resources available through:

• UF Health Shands
• UF Health Physicians
• UF administration
• UF Police Department
• UF Health Jacksonville

Visit Bridge.UFHealth.org/workplace-safety