Issue link: https://securitytechnologyexecutive.epubxp.com/i/956571
24 SECURIT Y TECHNOLOGY E XECUTIVE • Februar y/March 2018 • www. SecurityInfoWatch.com HEALTHCARE SECURIT Y Y ears ago there were only a handful of professions in which employees left for work thinking "am I going to make it back home safe today?" The military, law enforcement, firefighters, miners and many other high-risk careers came with known hazards and everyday dangers and it was just part of the territory. You knew the risks you faced when you signed up. It's not that simple any longer. With the continuing issues of workplace violence and active assailant events, it's not uncommon for teachers, salespersons, and even clergy to ask the question "Am I going to make it home safe?" This is particularly true for those in the healthcare industry. Workplace violence in healthcare is currently more the rule rather than the exception with workplace violence-related inju- ries requiring days off from work at an estimated rate at least four times higher than the rate for private- sector workers overall 1 . Healthcare facilities can no longer be considered safe havens, and have far surpassed other places of business in the US as the leader in incidents of workplace violence against workers. This is not surprising when you think about the daily issues that healthcare workers face. No one wants to come to the hospital, and if you are there (with a few exceptions such as a new birth) then you or your family or friends are probably having a bad day. This results in a lot of emotional turmoil much of the time, Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Workplace Violence Threats Workplace violence is a traumatic event that is occurring with increasing frequency By Br yan Warren, CHPA ,CPO -I Image Courtesy of iStock.com