Caregivers could use some caring, too: Care must flow both ways

Health care is built on trust — between patients and providers, families and caregivers, communities and the systems that serve them.

Every day in Maryland, nurses, doctors and health care staff show up with skill, compassion and commitment to keep us well. But there’s a growing concern within the walls of our hospitals, clinics, emergency departments and urgent care centers, nursing homes and assisted living facilities: an increase in workplace violence directed at those providing care.

These incidents don’t define our health care system, which remains a safe and healing space for patients, but they do represent a critical challenge we must address to protect the workforce behind it.

At the Maryland Patient Safety Center, we’ve launched our “Care Flows Both Ways” campaign to show the need for more respectful interactions in health care facilities. Our organization and the health care workers we seek to assist are grateful to the Maryland General Assembly for their support of and commitment to this effort.

At the heart of our campaign is a simple but powerful truth: Care must flow both ways. Our health care professionals dedicate their lives to caring for others; they deserve care, compassion and protection in return.

When we support the well-being of our health care workforce, we reinforce the entire system of care that touches every Marylander’s life. Respecting and safeguarding those who care for us ensures they can continue to do what they do best — deliver exceptional care to patients and families across the state.

Most people will never witness the kinds of stressors and confrontations that health care workers may face during high-pressure moments, but their impact is real. Addressing this issue is not about sounding an alarm; It’s about strengthening the foundation of our health care system. There are benefits to every patient at the hospital when violence against health care workers is prevented.

Our campaign website, ItTakesPatients.org, provides tools and resources for patients and families, plus hospitals, physician offices, urgent care and other settings of care. Through the website, as well as on billboards and buses, TV and digital ads, Marylanders can hear and see directly from health care workers who have been impacted by workplace violence in medical settings.

Their stories are real, raw and emotional.

It’s not easy to talk, or hear, about any workplace violence, but what Marylanders will also hear is their love for their work and their gratitude for the opportunity to help others.

To the health care professionals who show up every day with courage and compassion: We see you, we thank you and we are working to ensure your safety is a priority.

To the public and our elected leaders: This is an opportunity to stand with the people who care for us — to build a stronger, safer health care system that supports the well-being of both patients and providers. Together, we can ensure that Maryland leads the way in protecting our health care workforce while maintaining the trust and care our communities count on.

Since the Maryland Patient Safety Center was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2002, we have worked for a future where health care is safe and equitable for every patient, family member and health care worker, across the care continuum. The Care Flows Both Ways campaign continues and expands that commitment to our state’s health care family.

Our aim is to keep healing the central part of the workplace for our health care heroes. We invite everyone to join us as we learn how to make “Care Flow Both Ways.”