Hospitals used to be a “safe haven” for healing. However, reported incidents of violent acts perpetrated within a healthcare setting are at all time highs.

Healthcare Security Risks Critical After Shooting

Per The Bureau of Labor Statistics, of all reported assaults on employees in the workplace, 60% of the assaults happen in the healthcare setting. Healthcare staff is more likely to be victims of an assault or battery while at work, then any other occupation. On top of that, the numbers of shootings in healthcare are increasing. Whether it is because of the long waits, perceived lack of quality care, economic pressures or a number of other causes, there is a rise in the number of serious and deadly criminal acts in healthcare. Per the U.S. Department of Justice, 500,000 nurses are victims of violent criminal acts each year in the workplace. Most experts feel that the numbers of cases are under reported.

Healthcare administrators need to understand that these incidents of workplace violence will continue and their frequency will rise as the deteriorating economy and increasing unemployment rate create more stress on people.

It is highly recommended that healthcare organizations conduct a comprehensive security risk assessment to ascertain their existing risks and vulnerabilities. In doing so organizations have to examine their existing training programs to ensure that they are properly aligned with industry best practices so as to reduce the risk of workplace violence. The program should teach management and staff to identify risk factors, defuse conflicts and confrontation, and in a worst case scenario – how to manage and contain the crisis, and return to normal operations as soon as possible.