By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor

Workplace violence continues to be a prevalent safety concern in healthcare facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare and social service industries experience the highest rates of injuries and are five times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers in other sectors. These incidents can occur outside of patient areas as well, such as cafeterias, loading docks and administrative offices. 

Recently, an employee at Mount Carmel East hospital in Colombus, Ohio, was stabbed by a coworker in the cafeteria’s food prep area, ABC 6 reports. The hospital confirmed no patients were involved, operations were unaffected and the incident is under investigation. 

Facilities managers and security teams must account for all areas of a healthcare facility when developing safety plans. Comprehensive risk assessments need to include support and staff-only spaces. 

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According to a study by the American Hospital Association, risk assessments should be done by collecting information on the rate of violence in certain demographics. Managers need to consider four key components when completing the assessment:  

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

According to the study, threat assessments determine the potential for violence. Threat assessments can be narrowed down to the following: 

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

Mitigating the risks can begin following the assessments with solutions like a workplace violence prevention program. It is vital that the programs involve input and feedback from staff, patients, leaders and visitors and they can identify vulnerabilities and track the effectiveness of existing safety measures. 

Doing so also helps ensure healthcare workers and facilities managers are ready to respond when a threat does arise. 

Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor of the facilities market.