How Can Healthcare Workers Set Boundaries With Aggressive Visitors

Healthcare workers can set boundaries with aggressive visitors by remaining calm, using clear communication, and firmly stating what behavior is or isn’t acceptable. This not only helps protect the well-being of staff, but also reinforces a respectful environment for all patients and visitors.

How Can Healthcare Workers Set Boundaries With Aggressive Visitors

Effective Communication and Phrasing

• Use calm, steady tones and maintain physical distance to reduce risk and tension.

• Examples of boundary-setting statements include:

  • “I'm here to help, but I can’t do that if you are yelling at me.”

  • “Your current behavior is not acceptable. If it continues, I will have to ask you to leave.”

  • “You are disrupting other patients. Please lower your voice so I can address your concerns.”

Setting Expectations and Enforcing Consequences

• Inform aggressive visitors of the consequences in a calm, factual manner (such as removal from the premises or contacting security) if unacceptable behavior continues.

• Make it clear that mutual respect is required for assistance to continue.

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Workplace Violence Prevention Training Series

• Workplace Safety- Understanding the Alarming Statistics

• Effective Communication Strategies for Healthcare Professionals to Manage Aggressive Patients and Visitors

• Practical Strategies for Healthcare Professionals to Handle Verbal Abuse from Patients and Visitors

• Understanding Workplace Threat Assessment: A Crucial Step for Safety and Security

• Strategies to Counter Workplace Violence In Healthcare

• Violence in the Workplace: The Impact of Workplace Violence on Healthcare and Social Service Workers

• How To Create A Office Layout For Safety And Protection Of Social Workers And Therapists

• Overcoming The Workplace Violence Risks and Challenges For Frontline Service Workers

• Occupational Violence and Aggression: Warning Signs and De-escalation Techniques

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Use of Institutional Support and Documentation

• If safety is threatened, remove oneself and call for security or backup as per workplace protocol.

• Document all incidents, reporting them to supervisors for legal protection and to maintain a record of repeat offenders.

• Many facilities use flagging systems in patient records to alert staff to previously aggressive behavior, enabling preparation and tailored response.

Through consistent, composed boundary-setting and adherence to protocols, healthcare workers can protect themselves while still providing professional care in difficult circumstances.

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The Center for Violence Prevention and Self-Defense Training (CVPSD) is a non-profit organization dedicated to research and providing evidence-based training in violence prevention and self-defense.

Through a combination of online and in-person training, workshops, and seminars, CVPSD provides practical self-defense skills, violence prevention strategies, risk assessment tools, and guidance on setting personal and relationship boundaries.