Workplace violence incidents are one of the most common security threats. Every year, over 2 million people in the United States experience some type of workplace violence, ranging from verbal abuse and harassment to outright physical assault. Half of these incidents happen in the healthcare sector, with nurses working in emergency department departments being the most affected.
The statistics are only getting worse, however.
Over the last year, assaults on healthcare workers increased by 20% as more hospitalizations rose. While the number is significant, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. The pandemic’s effects have driven many to feel anxiety and uncertainty. Corporate security experts recognize that an overworked medical staff combined with the issue of workplace safety adds up to a security risk.
It’s a serious risk, but one a trained security team can deal with in the following ways.
Implement Real-Time Officer Reporting
With an increased number of people in need, hospitals are often overworked. This means that there aren’t enough staff to take care of everyone at all times. These situations create opportunities for workplace violence perpetrators . If you’re able to identify the risks before they happen, then your security team is better prepared to mitigate them effectively.
Working with healthcare workers, security teams can develop incident response plans that include real-time officer reporting. This means officers will be in direct communication with hospital staff to help them assess and respond to potential threats as they happen.
Use Video Surveillance Software
In the age of mass shootings and other forms of attack, video surveillance is an essential part of any security plan. Video footage can help identify perpetrators and provide evidence that can be used in legal proceedings.
Hospitals are no different. In fact, they may be even more at risk for workplace violence given the number of people who come and go. By installing video surveillance software, your security team can have a birds-eye view of the entire hospital. This allows them to quickly identify and respond to any potential threats.
Create an Emergency Plan
No matter how well you plan for an emergency, there will always be some element of surprise. That’s why it’s important to have a comprehensive emergency plan in place. This plan should include protocols for workplace violence incidents.
Your security team should work with hospital staff to develop a response that includes the following:
– How to handle an incident when it first occurs
– How to communicate with law enforcement
– Lockdown procedures
– Evacuation plans
By having a well-rehearsed plan in place, you can help medical staff feel more secure and confident when handling a workplace violence incident.
Conclusion
In the end, your healthcare security team needs to be proactive in order to reduce—if not eliminate—workplace violence incidents altogether. This ensures that every member of your hospital is safe from harm’s way whenever they’re on the job.
While this may require additional training, the benefits will be well worth it in terms of both safety and cost-savings.
Security guards can help reduce workplace violence by implementing real-time officer reporting with video surveillance software that creates an emergency plan for hospitals. By initiating these measures into their security plans, healthcare security teams can keep their workers and patients safe from harm.
