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January 28, 2025

Ohio ACEP is Protecting Emergency Physicians from Violence

A new Ohio law will help protect the state’s emergency physicians and health care workers from violence. Ohio ACEP advocacy supported the effort from start to finish.

The new law aims to prevent hospital violence, enhance training, improve incident tracking and reporting, and strengthen security plans.

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Ohio ACEP's Government Affairs Chair, Dr. RJ Sontag, Workplace Violence Workgroup Chair, Dr. Nicole Veitinger, Executive Director Holly Dorr, and lobbyist Amanda Sines attend Governor DeWine’s signing ceremony for H.B. 452, the Healthcare Workplace Safety Bill.

In passionate testimony, Ohio ACEP leaders explained why laws that strengthen protections for physicians and care teams are vital.

They cited data from a 2024 ACEP member poll to emphasize that physical and verbal assaults are common across the country. 

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“Physical violence, intimidation, and threats are not accepted in any other workplace, and they should not be allowed or tolerated in a health care setting,” said Dr. Nicole Veitinger, past president, Ohio ACEP.

Additional comments from Dr. RJ Sontag emphasized that emergency physicians must be able to concentrate on treating patients, without fearing for their personal safety. 

“Emergency physicians and their care teams deserve a support system that prevents these incidents and protects us when they occur,” said Dr. Sontag. “We need to bring awareness about these incidents to slow down the acceleration of violence in health care. Emergency departments should be a safe space where patients are guaranteed they have the full attention and dedication of their care team to treat their ailments.”

ACEP is working tirelessly at the state and national level to keep you safe on the job. There’s much more to be done but this law is an important step in the right direction, made possible by ACEP member persistence, commitment and advocacy.

Related:

ACEP calls on federal lawmakers to strengthen protections against ED violence

ACEP poll: ED Violence is Dangerous, Rising and Unacceptable

Read your troubling firsthand accounts of violence on the job

Share ACEP’s ED violence prevention checklist with your hospital leaders

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