Enhanced Non-Lethal Security Blog

Imagine looking around your waiting room and seeing scores of patients are waiting indefinitely in an uncomfortable environment, only to be asked highly personal questions. It’s a tense situation that can be easily exacerbated by perceived prejudices or hostile attitudes by hospital staff, or by the patient’s own mental instability or use of drugs or alcohol.

Not surprisingly, ninety two percent of physical acts of violence or verbal threats are generated by the patients themselves, according to hospital and healthcare security expert Tony York. In fact, studies show that between one-third and one-half of all workers within emergency departments have faced acts of violence within the past year.

Take me to the INFOGRAPHIC now!

There’s a lot of confusion among hospital administrators and security officers about how to abide by the numerous healthcare security guidelines issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Joint Commission, the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Did you know that the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires employers who discover that an employee has threatened violence against managers, supervisors, or other employees may have to take certain preventive steps? OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide employees with places of employment that are free of hazards that may cause or result in death or serious physical injury. Have you heard of a Worksite Assessment or Analysis for the determination of Risk Factors? If not, it might be time to learn more about this process. Failure to correct a hazard or to take corrective action in the face of an employee’s concern for their safety and security could result in a Negligence Civil Law Suit.

Healthcare may be the most dangerous place to work if you're on the front lines!

Nurses and ER workers are among the most frequently assaulted and verbally abused - as many as 55% reported being the target aggression at least once a week! This infographic shows the impact of violence in the healthcare industry and who's getting hurt the most in hospitals.