On January 8, 2025, Ohio made a groundbreaking move to bolster workplace safety for both healthcare professionals and their patients. The newly signed House Bill 452 (HB 452, The Healthcare Workplace Safety Act) sets forth a robust framework designed to combat workplace violence in hospitals across the state. This landmark legislation reflects the growing recognition of the dangers that healthcare workers face every day and emphasizes the critical need for proactive crisis management and well-coordinated emergency response strategies. With these measures in place, Ohio is taking significant strides toward creating a safer environment for all in the healthcare industry.

What Does Ohio HB 452 Require?

The Healthcare Workplace Safety Act is a crucial piece of legislation designed to establish clear and proactive measures that protect healthcare workers throughout the state.

Hospital Requirements

The bill mandates that all hospital systems and independent hospitals implement the following practices:

• Development of Workplace Violence Prevention Plans: Hospitals must develop comprehensive plans that identify, prevent and reduce the risks of workplace violence. These plans must include strategies for incident management and risk management. The new law outlines the specific team members needed to create these strategies, ensuring that all plans consider diverse experiences and effectively address all potential risks and challenges.
• Workplace Violence Training: Annual training sessions for all hospital staff on recognizing, reporting and responding to workplace violence are now mandatory.
• Incident Reporting and Record-Keeping: Hospitals must track and report workplace violence incidents annually. They must also submit their findings to regulatory bodies to ensure transparency and compliance.
• Posting of Notices: Notices warning against aggressive behavior must be visibly posted throughout hospital facilities to deter potential acts of violence.

The new regulations will go into effect on July 1, 2025. Hospitals will have an additional three-month window after the new rules go into effect to implement security plans, establish incident reporting systems and post required notices.

Efforts to Improve Healthcare Education

Under HB 452, the Department of Higher Education and the Department of Health must collaboratively evaluate whether Ohio colleges and universities offering healthcare programs educate students on workplace violence prevention measures effectively. This survey-based evaluation will specifically identify whether schools provide students with training on de-escalation techniques, conflict management and risk identification education. Based on their findings, the Chancellor of Higher Education, in collaboration with the relevant medical and nursing councils, will prepare a report with recommendations for the General Assembly. All findings and recommendations must be reported within one year.

How 911Cellular Can Help Hospitals Comply with HB 452

911Cellular offers tailored safety solutions for every scenario in healthcare. Our comprehensive solution can help any hospital meet HB 452’s requirements with ease.

• Panic Buttons: Our WiFi-compatible panic buttons enable hospital staff to quickly signal for help during emergencies with a simple button press. While not required as part of HB 452, all modern workplace violence prevention plans should include duress buttons. These devices help reduce response times, ultimately leading to better incident outcomes. We offer Wall-mounted, Keyboard, and Wearable Panic Buttons, along with a Mobile Safety App, ensuring that your team and patients can request assistance no matter where they are.
• Alert Management Software: This software simplifies incident management by allowing hospitals to track active incidents following an initial panic alert. Hospitals can also easily meet their annual reporting requirements with built-in reporting features.
• Emergency Alert System: Seamlessly send mass alerts with predetermined messaging and audiences following a panic button trigger with automated workflows in our Emergency Alert System.
• Training and Support: We’re here to support your team every step of the way. Our product experts provide regular one-on-one sessions to help facilitate the implementation of our products and provide initial training for your team. Following initial deployment, we offer 24/7/365 customer support with bi-annual check-ins dedicated to optimizing your workflows and notifications.
• Custom Signage Solutions: To meet the requirement for posting notices against aggressive behavior, 911Cellular’s ProShop enables hospitals to upload custom designs and order professional-grade signs in various styles. This ensures facilities remain compliant while maintaining a professional appearance.

Key Takeaways and Broader Implications

The Healthcare Workplace Safety Act is not just a legal milestone; it’s a game changer for workplace safety. This groundbreaking legislation could pave the way for similar actions in high-risk workplaces outside of healthcare.

But there’s more to this than just compliance. By embracing innovative safety tools, hospitals can transform their environments. When workplaces prioritize safety, staff morale soars, the quality of care increases and patient outcomes are infinitely more successful.

At 911Cellular, we’re excited to partner with hospitals to meet their unique challenges head-on. Together, we can create secure healthcare environments prepared for any emergency.

Ready to get started? Schedule a demo today!

Tags: Hospital safety” “ workplace safety”