Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Part LXXIV: Combating Disruptive Behavior in Healthcare Workers.

Abstract

Disruptive behavior has major adverse consequences for patient care, morale of the staff, and institutional reputation. Disruptive actions must be confronted as soon as is feasible. Usually, such behavior will not recur following 1 more firm conversations by officials of the healthcare institution, but if necessary disciplinary measures and/or remediation may be necessary. Rarely, because of egregious or repeated offenses, it may be obligatory to suspend the privileges of the individual permanently or until there is further evaluation, such as by a subcommittee of the medical executive committee or perhaps by a fitness-for-duty assessment by an outside organization.