POLICY
It is the expectation of the house staff that members behave in a
courteous, cooperative and professional manner. Disruptive behavior
including verbal or physical attacks; inappropriate comments; demeaning
criticism; is not permitted and will be addressed by corrective action.
A. For the purposes of this Policy, “disruptive behavior” means any conduct
of behavior including, but not limited to, use of language that is profane,
vulgar, sexually suggestive or explicit, degrading, or racially/ethnically/r
eligiously slurring in any professional setting related to the care of its
patients; or any behavior that is deemed to be intimidating or harassing;
any unwanted touching, sexually-oriented or degrading jokes or comments,
obscene gestures or physical throwing of objects.
Also included are making inappropriate comments about each other or patients,
which:
- jeopardize or are inconsistent with quality patient care, or interfere
with the ability of others to provide quality patient care or be involved
with the educational program
- are unethical; or
- constitute the physical or verbal abuse of others involved with
providing patient care, or educational instruction.
B. Disruptive behavior occurs in varying degrees, which are classified into
three levels of severity. Level I behavior is the most severe violation of
this Policy. Any corrective action will be commensurate with the nature and
severity of the disruptive behavior. Repeated instances of disruptive behavior
will be considered cumulatively and action taken accordingly.
C. Classification of severity shall follow these guidelines:
Level I: Physical violence or other physical abuse including sexual harassment
involving physical contact.
Level II: Verbal abuse such as unwarranted yelling, swearing, or cursing;
threatening, humiliating, sexual or otherwise inappropriate comments directed
at a person or persons, or physical violence or abuse directed in anger at an
inanimate object.
Level III: Verbal abuse that is directed at-large, but has been reasonably
perceived by a witness to be disruptive behavior as defined above.
D. The training programs and clinical services shall promote continuing
awareness of this Policy among the house staff and the faculty, including
the following efforts:
- sponsoring or supporting educational programs on disruptive behavior
to be offered to house staff members and faculty;
- disseminating this Policy to all current members upon the adoption
of the Policy and to all new members of the house staff upon joining
the staff;
- requiring that the Medical Staff Health Committee be available to
assist a member of the house staff exhibiting disruptive behavior
to obtain education, behavior modification, or other treatment to prevent
further violations.
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