Creating a safe place for pediatric care: A no hit zone

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Parental disruptive behaviors and physical discipline are common challenges in hospital settings.
• Healthcare professionals require effective strategies to manage these situations and ensure patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and implement the "No Hit Zone" program at Kosair Children's Hospital.
• To train healthcare workers in de-escalation techniques for addressing disruptive behaviors and physical discipline.

Main Methods:

• A multidisciplinary Child Abuse Task Force and hospital administrators developed the policy and educational materials.
• The "No Hit Zone" policy establishes the hospital as a violence-free environment for all individuals.
• Training included live sessions and online case-based scenarios on de-escalation and early intervention.

Main Results:

• The "No Hit Zone" program was successfully implemented in 2012 with nominal costs.
• Key hospital administrator support was crucial for the program's success.
• The program effectively educated healthcare professionals on intervention strategies.

Conclusions:

• The "No Hit Zone" program enhances safety and care for families and staff.
• The program's success has led to its adoption by other hospitals and clinics.
• This initiative provides a model for organizations seeking to implement similar violence prevention programs.