Hidden in clear vision: How existing hospital technology prevents workplace violence

Violence against health care workers has become a common challenge in health care over the past few decades. Despite raising awareness, the hospital environment remains one of the most dangerous workplaces in the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the health care and social assistance sector were intentionally injured, nearly five times the average worker in the U.S. (14.2 times per 10,000, and 2.9 times per 10,000 in all sectors).

What once considered occasional occupational harm has evolved into a systemic crisis, reaching unprecedented levels during the 199 pandemic, when health care workers faced not only the deadly virus, but also increased the public hostility they served. The recent tragedy in Florida and Pennsylvania (hard injuries and even deaths suffered by health care workers) has once again imposed this urgent issue in the national focus, demanding that meaningful action be recognized only.

The persistence of this problem indicates the need for innovative approaches to leverage existing technologies in new ways. Although many hospitals have invested in safety measures such as panic buttons and security personnel, these reactive solutions often fail to prevent violence before it occurs. A more positive strategy is needed – signs of potential violence can be expected and intervened.

Reuse existing virtual technology to prevent violence

Many hospitals have invested in virtual care and virtual patient observation (VPO) systems to improve patient safety and improve clinical workflow. These same systems can be effectively reused to address workplace violence with little modification or additional investment.

Unlike the Panic button, which requires healthcare workers to have free hands and activate their minds during a crisis, the VPO system provides continuous monitoring that can detect problems and then they escalate into violence. In sudden attacks such as the recent Florida incident, the attacks took place without warning, no reaction was left, and traditional reactive security measures were barely protected.

VPO advantages over traditional security measures include:

• Continuous monitoring without the need for body appearance in potentially dangerous situations
• Elevated behavior early detection through visual and audio monitoring
• Instant alerts that can summon security before physical violence occurs
• Event record later review, training and potential legal proceedings
• Possibility of remote downgrade through bidirectional communication function

Hospitals that have implemented these systems for patient safety can expand their utilization through focused training on violence prevention programs. Virtual care platforms in particular offer other advantages as they are made up of experienced clinical professionals who are trained to recognize subtle changes in patient behavior and can provide early intervention in escalating situations.

Economic Requirements for Violence Prevention

In addition to human costs, workplace violence has significant economic consequences for healthcare institutions. Solving this problem with virtual technology represents not only a moral imperative, but also a financial problem.

According to the 2024 National Health Retention and RN Staffing Report, the average turnover of bedside RNs is $56,300. This means that the average hospital loses between $3.9 million and $5.8 million per year due to turnover.

When nurses and other health care workers leave positions due to violence or fear of violence, institutions face multiple costs:

• Direct replacement cost for deceased employees
• Increased overtime pay for the remaining staff
• New employee training fees
• Reduced productivity during transition
• Potential legal costs for workplace violence
• Workers’ compensation claims for injured persons
• Increase insurance premiums

In addition to these tangible costs, workplace violence creates a psychological burden, which helps burnout and reduces the quality of patient care. By preventing violence through the VPO system, hospitals can greatly reduce these financial losses while creating a safer environment for employees and patients.

Future innovation: AI enhances violence prevention

While the direct focus should be on maximizing existing virtual monitoring systems, these technologies continue to evolve in ways that further improve workplace safety. Today, foundations built through the current strategic implementation of VPOs and virtual care systems create avenues for additional functionality as technology advances.

Going forward, monitoring technologies may become more complex in their ability to identify potential threats. Emerging developments in AI and pattern recognition can ultimately help healthcare institutions better anticipate upgrades. Likewise, advances in communication systems may respond faster to coordination when events occur.

It is important that healthcare organizations do not need to wait for future innovations to address the pressing problems of workplace violence. Today’s technology has provided largely untapped important protection when it is properly implemented and used in violence prevention programs. By first focusing on maximizing existing capabilities – training surveillance personnel to identify warning signs, developing clear response protocols, and expanding coverage for vulnerable areas – healthy organizations can make immediate progress in creating a safer environment.

The most effective violence prevention strategies will always combine technology with appropriate training, clear policies, and institutional commitment to employee safety. Provide immediate protection from the tools already available and ready to incorporate enhancements when they appear.

From hindsight to vision: Protecting the future of healthcare

Violence in the healthcare workplace is inevitable. With existing technology, strategic implementation and institutional commitments, hospitals can greatly reduce employee risks.

As healthcare leaders, we have both moral obligations and financial motivations to protect those who are committed to healing others. Virtual patient observation and virtual care technologies represent one of the most powerful and accessible tools we have in this work.

The recent tragic incidents in Florida and Pennsylvania should serve as a catalyst for the implementation of a comprehensive violence prevention strategy, including virtual monitoring solutions. Our healthcare workers should have more than just the environment, where they can focus on patient care without having to worry about their safety.

This technology exists. The economic case is clear. The only remaining question is whether healthcare facilities will take action before more professional professionals become victims of preventable violence.

Photos: SCS, Getty Images

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