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Abstract Introduction The World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization jointly launched the global technical tool of HealthWISE in 2014 for creating a safe and healthy workplace in the health sector. This study aims to assess the changes of workplace violence toward healthcare workers (HCWs) after applying the HealthWISE at an infectious disease hospital in China. Methods Based on the baseline survey in 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2021 using a questionnaire among 720 HCWs. The status and response modes of workplace violence were investigated with a multi-factor analysis. Results The incidence rate of physical violence declined significantly from 5.13% in 2018 to 3.33% in 2021 (P0.05), while psychological violence decreased significantly from 60.90% in 2018 to 33.89% in 2021 (P0.05). The influencing factors were the night shift, department, direct contact with patients, and worrying about workplace violence in 2021 (P0.05). The primary responses by the HCWs were keeping silent, stopping verbally, and confiding to colleagues, but the number of HCWs who sought legal protection and trade union support was low. Respondents considered safety and environmental interventions to be the most effective measures. Discussion Under the intervention of HealthWISE, the incidence rate of workplace violence has declined in this hospital, demonstrating the effect of occupational health protection system development. However, there is significant room for improvement to achieve the vision of “zero violence”. Conclusion The prevention and control of workplace violence should be urgently incorporated into the occupational health management system, and aligned comprehensive measures should be systematically adopted.
Huang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.