Workplace violence has escalated over the past 15 years, especially in the health care arena. Providers and staff as well as family members and bystanders (including other health care providers) frequently experience this violence.  

In November 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a memo on workplace safety that addressed care in a safe environment. On July 1, 2023, The Joint Commission’s (TJC) updated standards on workplace violence became effective. These standards included requirements for monitoring, reports, and investigations.  

This program will cover CMS standards for workplace safety and Emergency Preparedness standards, along with The Joint Commission’s Standards and Elements of Performance. 

Laura A. Dixon served as the director of risk management and patient safety for the Colorado Region of Kaiser Permanente. Prior to joining Kaiser, she served as the director, facility patient safety and risk management and operations for COPIC from 2014 to 2020. In her role, she provided patient safety and risk management consultation and training to facilities, practitioners, and staff in multiple states. 

Dixon has more than 20 years of clinical experience in acute care facilities, including critical care, coronary care, peri-operative services, and pain management. Prior to joining COPIC, she served as the director, Western region, patient safety and risk management for The Doctors Company in Napa, California. In this capacity, she provided patient safety and risk management consultation to the physicians and staff for the western United States  

As a registered nurse and attorney, Dixon holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Regis University, RECEP of Denver, a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Drake University College of Law, Des Moines, Iowa, and a Registered Nurse Diploma from Saint Luke’s School Professional Nursing, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  She is licensed to practice law in Colorado and California.