Cortland, N.Y., Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- No one is immune to violence in the workplace, including the dedicated caregivers who work within our hospitals, medical clinics and offices. Health care workers often find themselves in stressful situations, working to deliver immediate care for someone in need, regardless of the circumstance.   A national study published by the CDC in 2023 revealed that nearly one out of three public health workers experienced at least one form of workplace violence such as receiving threats, being bullied or harassed, or experiencing stigma due to their public health work. Some of this is a result of the COVID pandemic, but even as COVID numbers ebb and flow, the threat still exists.   Acknowledging this problem, The Guthrie Clinic, including its six hospitals and dozens of medical offices throughout its 10,000 square mile territory, has officially joined the Respect and Heal Campaign, with members of local law enforcement and dozens of caregivers in support.  Launched by Upstate University Hospital in October 2023, Respect and Heal is a regional initiative to present a united front in support of frontline staff, from doctors and nurses to environmental and food service workers and all other members of the caregiving team.   “We are all caregivers because each of us plays a role in providing the health care our patients deserve,” said Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, President and CEO, The Guthrie Clinic. “And in providing this care, we firmly believe each individual deserves as much protection as possible, regardless of their role.”  This initiative is designed to keep hospitals and clinical spaces safe places of healing. The core platform for Respect and Heal is as follows: 

• We support shared expectations for respectful behavior at all our hospitals and clinic sites. 
• We support zero tolerance of any threat to staff or patient safety at all our sites. 
• We support the strongest consequences for those who violate safety rules. 
• We support passage of federal legislation such as the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act which provide more penalties for individuals who knowingly and intentionally assault or intimidate hospital employees, and resources for hospitals to develop innovative workplace safety programs. 
• We support strengthened New York State legislation, similar to laws passed in states like New Jersey, that impose harsh criminal penalties on people who seriously injure health care workers, as well as those who threaten, assault or intimidate health care workers. 
• We support time for internal committees to meet cross institution — to share best practices so every organization, regardless of size, has access to ideas, messaging, tools and solutions.  
• We support the extension of shared training and education to share ideas that effectively manage and de-escalate difficult situations.  
• We support the belief that the vast majority of patients respect health care workers and want to see them safe. 

Guthrie looks forward to working with the other health care organizations affiliated with Respect and Heal, as well as law enforcement and lawmakers throughout the communities we serve, to advocate for the safety of our caregivers.  “So often, it’s health care workers who treat the victims of violence, which can make it easy to forget that those same people can also be the victims of violence in the workplace,” said Jennifer Yartym, President, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. “Together we are united for a shared purpose of healing, respect and safety for our colleagues and our community.”

The link below includes video from the speakers at a news conference held on Sept. 25. Please feel free to use any or all of the video. The names and titles below are in the order they appear in the video.

Jennifer Yartym, President, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center

Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, President and CEO, The Guthrie Clinic

Andrew Dunnick, Sr. Director of Safety and Security, The Guthrie Clinic

Patrick Perfetti, Cortland County District Attorney

Guthrie Respect and Heal News Conference (youtube.com)

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The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit multispecialty health system integrating clinical and hospital care along with research and education. Headquartered in Sayre, Pennsylvania, The Guthrie Clinic stands as one of the nation's longest established group practices, founded in 1910 by the visionary Dr. Donald Guthrie. The organization's patient-centered approach revolves around a clinically-integrated network of employed providers. Among The Guthrie Clinic’s more than 9,000 caregivers are close to 1,000 highly skilled physicians and advanced practice providers representing the spectrum of medical specialties and sub-specialties. Situated across 10,000 square miles in northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, The Guthrie Clinic's comprehensive six hospital campuses also encompass an expansive network of outpatient facilities across 13 counties. Post-acute care includes acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, personal care home, home care and hospice services, completing the continuum of care. With a commitment to shaping the future of health care, the organization offers eleven residencies and five fellowships, serving as a training ground for the next generation of leaders in the field.     

Visit us at  www.Guthrie.org. Follow us at Twitter.com/GuthrieClinic, Facebook.com/TheGuthrieClinic, Linkedin.com/company/TheGuthrieClinic, and Instagram.com/TheGuthrieClinic.       

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• GUTHRIE JOINS CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT HEALTH CARE WORKERS FROM VIOLENCE

Kathy Cramer Guthrie 570-887-4415 kathy.cramer@guthrie.org