The healthcare industry is a place of care, healing, and recovery, yet it is paradoxically one of the most frequent settings for workplace violence. This issue affects not only the personal safety and mental health of healthcare workers but also disrupts patient care and institutional performance. Violence in healthcare aimed at professionals has become so prevalent that it now demands urgent attention and effective prevention measures—because healthcare workers deserve to feel safe while saving lives.

The Alarming Reality of Violence in Healthcare

Unsettling Statistics

Workplace violence in healthcare continues to rise, disproportionately impacting this critical sector:

• Healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than employees in most other industries.

• A Hennepin Healthcare Survey (2022) revealed that 53% of nurses considered leaving their roles or the profession entirely due to workplace violence.

• Alarmingly the same Hennepin Healthcare Survey reveals that only 47% of violent incidents are reported in healthcare workplaces, largely due to feeling unsupported by management and time constraints.

• 70% of emergency physicians report that their hospital administration responded to violent incidents. However, disparities exist as male physicians report higher response rates than females (American College of Emergency Physicians, 2022).

• According to the same ACEP poll, nearly 90% of emergency physicians agree that violence negatively affects patient care due to decreased focus, emotional trauma, and longer wait times.

Day-to-Day Impact on Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers face emotional, psychological, and physical risks every day. The MDLinx 2023 survey found:

• 53% of physicians experience emotional trauma as a result of workplace violence.

• 47% report that violence impairs their ability to treat patients effectively.

• 43% experience career impacts such as low morale or the need to relocate their practice.
• 75% of physicians have seen violence against HCPs grow throughout the years.

Incidents range from verbal abuse and intimidation to physical assaults that can lead to injuries. Physicians in high-pressure roles, such as emergency and psychiatric departments, are among the most affected, with 66% of emergency physicians experiencing assaults within the past year (ACEP, 2022).

Why Violence in Healthcare Happens

Healthcare environments combine various risk factors that make them particularly vulnerable to violence:

1. High-stress environments: Long wait times, understaffing, and emergency care situations provoke frustration and emotional outbursts.

1. Patient profiles: Individuals under psychological distress (e.g., psychiatric patients or substance abuse cases) are frequent perpetrators.

1. System failures: Insufficient staff training, inadequate security, and a lack of accountability for violent behavior allow violence to persist.

1. Cultural acceptance: Alarmingly, many healthcare workers accept violence as “part of the job,” resulting in underreporting and limited intervention.

Consequences of Workplace Violence in Healthcare

The repercussions of violence in healthcare are widespread, impacting individuals, institutions, and even patients:

• Mental Health Decline: Healthcare workers report symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety after experiencing or witnessing violent incidents according to the (NIH, 2020).

• Staff Turnover: Rising stress in healthcare has likely contributed to a significant talent loss in the industry. In hospitals during 2024, RNs have posted a 20.7% turnover rate according to the 2024 NSI National Healthcare Retention & RN Staffing Report. On a more positive note, this turnover rate is down by 2.0% from 2022.

• Reduced Patient Care Quality: Increased absenteeism, turnover rates, and emotional trauma lead to lower productivity, longer wait times, and compromised patient outcomes (NIH, 2022).

Addressing the Problem Effectively

The persistent issue of workplace violence in healthcare does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. However, meaningful change is possible through comprehensive strategies that combine leadership support, training, technology, and advocacy.

Recommended Prevention Measures

1. Leadership Commitment: Hospitals must implement zero-tolerance policies and allocate proper resources for preventing and responding to violent incidents.
2. Enhanced Training: Programs focusing on de-escalation techniques and recognizing warning signs should be mandatory.
3. Security Upgrades: While inconvenient, installing metal detectors, increasing surveillance, and equipping staff with mental health and emergency response tools can reduce threats in high-risk areas. There are also practical safety solutions available from companies like Silent Beacon.
4. Encourage Incident Reporting: Create a supportive, blame-free culture where violent incidents are reported and adequately addressed without fear of workplace retaliation.
5. Legislative Action: Advocacy for passing laws which require workplaces to implement safety solutions for their staff.
6. Provide Support Services: Mental health counseling and stress-mitigation training must be offered to help employees cope with trauma and stay resilient.
7. Adopt Technology Solutions: Tools like the Silent Beacon wearable panic button for employees allow healthcare workers to discreetly call for help and notify colleagues or law enforcement during an emergency.

Silent Beacon’s panic buttons provide multiple layers of security:

• GPS-enabled alerts notify emergency contacts and responders in real time.
• Customizable call options allow users to directly contact their institution’s security or local law enforcement.
• Call any phone number directly, including 911. The Silent Beacon panic button is the only one on the market that allows you to communicate directly with 911 through its two-way audio feature.

Real Change is Possible

Violence in healthcare workplaces is a solvable crisis. But it requires collaboration among healthcare institutions, government agencies, and advocacy groups to create safer environments for invaluable professionals.

Silent Beacon is committed to supporting this mission by providing advanced personal safety technologies that empower and protect. To learn how Silent Beacon’s solutions can improve safety in your healthcare institution, visit our healthcare webpage today.

Let’s keep our healers safe. Because they deserve to feel secure while saving lives.