By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

Violent incidents are rising at healthcare facilities nationwide, leaving them struggling amid the other issues they face daily. 

Arkansas Children’s Hospital is one such healthcare facility grappling with a surge in workplace violence, with nine aggressive patient incidents in just two months, according to Arkansas Business. This has resulted in injuries to 18 employees, with five requiring medical attention. Even the hospital's CEO received a credible threat from a former employee, necessitating heightened security measures. The aftermath of such violence often includes depression, burnout and post-traumatic stress among healthcare workers. In response, Arkansas Children’s Hospital has implemented a psychological assessment for employees affected by patient or visitor violence to better support their mental well-being. 

Related: Violence Against Healthcare Facilities and Personnel is a Global Trend

There are two ways to address the uptick in violence: risk and threat assessments. 

Risk assessments are done by gathering information on the incidence of violence in certain demographics. These are four key components to a risk assessment, according to a case study from the American Hospital Association (AHA):  

• Identify the risk  
• Analyze the risk  
• Control, transfer or mitigate the risk  
• Monitor risk control measures 

Meanwhile, for threat assessments, they are the process of getting information to decide the potential for violence. There are four key parts of this as well, according to the same case study:  

• Creating the threat assessment team  
• Identification of a potential threat  
• Investigation  
• Mitigation and management of the threat 

Jeff Wardon, Jr. is the assistant editor for the facility market.