Professional standards regarding safety in the medical workplace

Preamble

This document provides guidance to the profession, recognizing that physicians face competing responsibilities when trying to protect the safety of their patients, their staff and themselves.

Professional standards

1. When physicians become aware of violence, threats of violence, harassment, or intimidation by anyone against patients, health-care professionals, physician colleagues, or others in their workplace, they must take necessary and reasonable steps to address the behaviour. Physicians are not required to compromise the safety of themselves or others when doing so.

What are reasonable steps?
What constitutes reasonable steps will vary according to circumstance. For general guidance, physicians are encouraged to review the office safety plan and how to manage conflict and aggressive behaviour in medical practice. Physicians should abide by and be familiar with institutional policies and procedures regarding safety and security. In the event of an imminent workplace safety risk, physicians should never hesitate to engage with law enforcement.

2. Where a patient’s medical condition creates a risk of violence or danger, physicians must balance the need for medical intervention with the obligation to protect themselves and others, taking steps that are reasonable and safe in the circumstances.

Acknowledgements

The development of this College standard was informed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s document Human Rights in the Provision of Health Services.

Resources

Canadian Medical Protective Association

• The office safety plan
• How to manage conflict and aggressive behaviour in medical practice