Risky Business: The Rising Threat of Violence for Health Care Workers and Steps to Safeguard Workers

• December 17, 2024

• Beth Collis , Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
• Greg Tapocsi , Dinsmore & Shohl LLP

Violence against health care workers—whether caused by patients, patient visitors/family members, or coworkers—continues to rise. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), violence in the workplace setting is defined as violent actions, including physical assault and verbal threats, directed toward persons at work or on duty. Health care workers are five times more likely to be subjected to such violent actions than the general public: 44% of nurses report experiencing some form of physical violence (which accounts for approximately 1,739 assaults per month on average) and 68% of nurses report experiencing verbal abuse.

ARTICLE TAGS

• Medical Staff Credentialing and Peer Review Practice Group
• Labor and Employment
• Medical Staff, Credentialing, and Peer Review