Hospital Association Tackles Increasing Violence Against Healthcare Workers

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has joined forces with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to provide resources aimed at reducing violence against healthcare workers. This initiative comes in response to a troubling increase in violent incidents within the industry.

To address this growing concern, the AHA has launched the Hospitals Against Violence initiative, which seeks to combat both workplace and community violence in healthcare settings. Leaders from the organization have noted that incidents of violence at healthcare facilities have surged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers across the nation have experienced a sharp increase in incidences of workplace violence, with no sign that this trend is receding,” stated the AHA. “Despite the diligent efforts of hospitals and health systems to prevent violence, health care workers remain five times more likely than any other type of worker to be physically attacked on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.”

John Riggi, who oversees cybersecurity for the AHA, highlighted alarming statistics: there are approximately 13.2 physical assaults per 100 nurses each year, along with 38.8 nonphysical violent events—including threats, sexual harassment, and verbal abuse—per 100 nurses annually.

Officials emphasize that one critical approach to preventing these attacks is effective threat assessment prior to any violent acts occurring. Karie Gibson, unit chief for the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit-1, explained:

“When we're in this space, our main mission is to prevent those acts of terrorism and targeted violence. And so one of the biggest tools that we have to do that is what's known as threat assessment management."

Gibson further noted that preventing violence in hospitals should not solely fall on law enforcement:

“I think any place out there that has large numbers of people or more public spaces where individuals can enter freely is vulnerable. If we assume we are immune from such violence, we make ourselves even more susceptible.” "The best option is for all community members to come together and take proactive measures within their own environments while also educating others about recognizing concerning behaviors and responding appropriately."