Condition Support Go-Bags: Enhancing Patient Safety and Staff Retention Through Rapid-Response PPE

Grant Application

Camellia Herisko, DNP, MSN, RN, PMHCNS-BC, CRNP, and Jeffrey Magill, MS, UPMC Center for Nursing Excellence

Proposed Innovation

Workplace violence is a growing concern in health care. In fact, health care workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than employees in other industries. To address this, UPMC implemented a systemwide condition support security alert policy that activates a team response to de-escalate and safely manage escalated situations and behaviors of a patient and/or visitor.

This project aims to reduce injury risk, enhance safety and employee confidence, and improve staff retention by providing Condition Support Go-Bags stocked with personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff use during these high-stress condition support events.

Improvements in Action

These mobile, ready-to-use Condition Support Go-Bags will be stocked with PPE such as bite sleeves, protective gloves, arm guards, and spit shields to reduce the risk of harm and injury. In addition, education will be provided to familiarize staff with the contents of the Condition Support Go-Bags, use of the PPEs, and cleaning and restocking of supplies.

Intended Outcomes

Providing immediate access to Condition Support Go-Bags with specialized PPEs is expected to reduce response times and lower the risk of staff injuries. It’s also expected to enhance overall safety, foster confidence, and ultimately improve staff retention.