By July 1, 2001, and at least annually thereafter, as set forth in the plan developed under RCW 72.23.400, each state hospital shall provide violence prevention training to all its affected employees as determined by the plan. Initial training shall occur prior to assignment to a patient unit, and in addition to his or her ongoing training as determined by the plan. The training may vary by the plan and may include, but is not limited to, classes, videotapes, brochures, verbal training, or other verbal or written training that is determined to be appropriate under the plan. The training shall address the following topics, as appropriate to the particular setting and to the duties and responsibilities of the particular employee being trained, based upon the hazards identified in the assessment required under RCW 72.23.400:

(1) General safety procedures;

(2) Personal safety procedures and equipment;

(3) The violence escalation cycle;

(4) Violence-predicting factors;

(5) Obtaining patient history for patients with violent behavior or a history of violent acts;

(6) Verbal and physical techniques to de-escalate and minimize violent behavior;

(7) Strategies to avoid physical harm;

(8) Restraining techniques;

(9) Documenting and reporting incidents;

(10) The process whereby employees affected by a violent act may debrief;

(11) Any resources available to employees for coping with violence;

(12) The state hospital's workplace violence prevention plan;

(13) Use of the intershift reporting process to communicate between shifts regarding patients who are agitated; and

(14) Use of the multidisciplinary treatment process or other methods for clinicians to communicate with staff regarding patient treatment plans and how they can collaborate to prevent violence.

Findings—2000 c 22: See note following RCW 72.23.400.