Course Description:

De-escalation is a critical skill for healthcare professionals, particularly when dealing with hostile patients. In the high-stress environment of a medical practice, encounters with aggressive or agitated patients can pose significant challenges. Hostility can stem from various sources to include patients experiencing severe pain, fear, confusion, or frustration over their medical condition or the environment itself. Additionally, underlying mental health issues, substance abuse, or personal stressors can exacerbate aggressive behavior. Recognizing these factors is the first step in addressing and de-escalating hostile situations. Likewise, because such situations can become quickly volatile, it is important to also understand the basic safety tenants of Active Shooter Preparedness and Response.

The audience will hear behind the scenes stories from the FBI and provide actionable information to be used in extreme situations if de-escalation is no longer an option.

Key takeaways will include:
• How to recognize the warning signs that a situation may become volatile
• Techniques to employ to reduce tensions in an effort to defuse situations
• Be able to protect yourself and others should a violent situation occur