Over the last few decades, violence against healthcare workers has emerged as a pervasive challenge in healthcare. Despite increased awareness, hospital settings remain among the most dangerous workplaces in the country. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, workers in the healthcare and social assistance sector experience intentional injuries at nearly 5 times the rate of the average American worker (14.2 per 10,000 compared to 2.9 per 10,000 across all industry sectors).
What was once considered an occasional occupational hazard has evolved into a systemic crisis, reaching unprecedented levels during the Covid-19 pandemic when healthcare workers faced not only a deadly virus but also increasing hostility from the very public they served. Recent tragedies in Florida and Pennsylvania — where healthcare workers suffered severe injuries and even fatalities — have once again thrust this urgent issue into the national spotlight, demanding meaningful action beyond mere acknowledgment.
The persistence of this problem signals a need for innovative approaches that leverage existing technology in new ways. While many hospitals have invested in safety measures like panic buttons and security personnel, these reactive solutions often fall short of preventing violence before it occurs. A more proactive strategy is needed — one that can anticipate and intervene at the earliest signs of potential violence.
Repurposing existing virtual technology for violence prevention
Many hospitals have already invested in virtual nursing and virtual patient observation (VPO) systems to enhance patient safety and improve clinical workflows. These same systems can be effectively repurposed to address workplace violence with little to no modifications or additional investment.
Unlike panic buttons, which require the healthcare worker to have free hands and the presence of mind to activate them during a crisis, VPO systems provide continuous monitoring that can detect problems before they escalate to violence. In sudden attacks like the recent Florida incident, where the assault happened without warning and left no time to react, traditional reactive safety measures offer little protection.
VPO advantages over traditional safety measures include:
- Continuous monitoring without requiring staff to be physically present in potentially dangerous situations
- Early detection of escalating behaviors through visual and audio monitoring
- Immediate alert capabilities that can summon security before physical violence occurs
- Documentation of incidents for later review, training, and potential legal proceedings
- Remote de-escalation possibilities through two-way communication features
Hospitals that have already implemented these systems for patient safety can expand their utilization with focused training on violence prevention protocols. Virtual nursing platforms, in particular, offer additional advantages as they are staffed by experienced clinical professionals who are trained to recognize subtle changes in patient behavior and can provide early intervention during escalating situations.
The economic imperative for violence prevention
Beyond the human cost, workplace violence carries significant economic consequences for healthcare institutions. Addressing this issue through virtual technology represents not just an ethical imperative but a financial one.
According to the 2024 National Healthcare Retention & RN Staffing Report, the average cost of turnover for a bedside RN is $56,300. This means the average hospital loses between $3.9 million to $5.8 million annually due to turnover.
When nurses and other healthcare workers leave their positions due to violence or fear of violence, institutions face multiple costs:
- Direct replacement costs for departed staff
- Increased overtime for remaining staff
- Training expenses for new hires
- Decreased productivity during transitions
- Potential legal costs from workplace violence incidents
- Workers’ compensation claims from injured staff
- Increased insurance premiums
Beyond these tangible costs, workplace violence creates psychological burdens that contribute to burnout and diminish the quality of patient care. By preventing violence through VPO systems, hospitals can significantly reduce these financial drains while creating safer environments for both staff and patients.
Future innovations: AI-enhanced violence prevention
While the immediate focus should be on maximizing existing virtual monitoring systems, these technologies continue to evolve in ways that may further enhance workplace safety. The foundation built today through strategic implementation of current VPO and virtual nursing systems creates a pathway for additional capabilities as technology advances.
Looking ahead, monitoring technologies will likely become more sophisticated in their ability to identify potential threats. Emerging developments in AI and pattern recognition could eventually help healthcare facilities better anticipate escalating situations. Similarly, advancements in communication systems might enable faster response coordination when incidents do occur.
The essential point remains that healthcare institutions need not wait for future innovations to address the pressing issue of workplace violence. Today’s technology, when properly implemented and utilized with violence prevention protocols, already offers significant protection that goes largely untapped. By focusing first on maximizing existing capabilities—training monitoring staff to recognize warning signs, developing clear response protocols, and expanding coverage to vulnerable areas—healthcare organizations can make immediate progress in creating safer environments.
The most effective violence prevention strategy will always combine technology with proper training, clear policies, and institutional commitment to staff safety. Starting with the tools already available provides both immediate protection and prepares institutions to incorporate enhancements as they emerge.
From hindsight to foresight: Protecting healthcare’s future
Healthcare workplace violence is not inevitable. With existing technology, strategic implementation, and institutional commitment, hospitals can dramatically reduce the risk to their staff.
As healthcare leaders, we have both an ethical obligation and financial incentive to protect those who dedicate their lives to healing others. Virtual patient observation and virtual nursing technology represents one of our most powerful and readily available tools in this effort.
The recent tragic events in Florida and Pennsylvania should serve as catalysts for implementing comprehensive violence prevention strategies that include virtual monitoring solutions. Our healthcare workers deserve nothing less than environments where they can focus on patient care without fear for their own safety.
The technology exists. The economic case is clear. The only question that remains is whether healthcare institutions will act before more dedicated professionals become victims of preventable violence.
Photo: s-c-s, Getty Images
Holly Miller is a dynamic healthcare IT leader, currently serving as the CEO of Collette Health, where she leverages her profound expertise in business scaling, stakeholder value creation, and complex problem-solving. For over 20 years, she has driven revenue growth in the acute and post-acute SaaS sectors. A fervent advocate for the digital transformation of healthcare, Holly is dedicated to implementing virtual care solutions and focusing on clinician experiences as pivotal strategies to mitigate the growing challenge of clinician burnout, thereby improving the experiences of both patients and providers.
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