K9 meet-and-greet scores a 10!
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of workplace violence against healthcare workers has increased. National statistics show:
Healthcare workers are 5x more likely to be injured due to violence on the job compared to other workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers account for nearly three-quarters of workplace violence injuries and illnesses.
A nurse is assaulted every 30 minutes, on average. A nationwide analysis by Press Ganey found that most attackers were patients.
In 2021, Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction implemented a K9 team program. Since then, St. Mary's has seen a 50-percent reduction in workplace violence injury among clinicians and caregivers.
Each K9 team is comprised of a specially trained canine and a certified K9 security officer handler. The dogs and their handlers undergo formal training for months before starting at the hospital, and the dogs always wear muzzles.
Unlike traditional police dogs, they also are trained to be social. They are approachable and can be a comforting distraction, especially in the Emergency Department.
After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive risk assessment at St. Mary's, the program was piloted at Lutheran recently, with Moose and his handler, Chris, visiting us for a few days to get a sense of how the program would be received.
Moose was well received by staff and at least one small patient! After a friendly greeting, Moose gave her the stuffy that’s on his back in the second photo below.
The feedback from clinicians, caregivers, patients and visitors was extremely positive and as a result, Lutheran will onboard permanent K9 teams in the next few months. This link to a recent story on 9News, shares more information on this valuable program.