Mapping the risks: Population demographics and healthcare workplace violence

Driving optimal outcomes and maximizing value

WPV in healthcare is escalating

Healthcare workplace violence (WPV) is a complex issue involving physical assaults, verbal abuse, threats and psychological trauma. Nurses, doctors and support staff face higher risks due to the unpredictable, high-stress nature of their work.

• WPV incidents doubled between 2010 through 2022.
• Healthcare workers represent 48% of all nonfatal WPV injuries despite being only 10% of the workforce.

Drivers in healthcare WPV

Healthcare WPV often stems from emotionally charged interactions with patients or families. Knowing perpetrator demographics helps develop targeted prevention and risk reduction strategies.

• Population demographics — Population prone to violence is at a peak for the next 20 years.
  • Age — Working adults (between the ages of 18 and 40) and older adults (ages 65 and older)
  • Gender — Males are prone to physical violence, while females tend to verbalize threats.
• Specific settings — Emergency departments, behavioral/ psychiatric units, long-term care and geriatric units.
• Ethnicity and culture — Cultural misunderstandings and societal stressors amplify tensions.

Regulatory landscape

Healthcare WPV is being increasingly regulated to protect workers and ensure safer environments. The OSHA guidelines (2016) recommend healthcare workers adopt five strategic actions to help reduce WPV. The Joint Commission has developed standards to align with OSHA guidelines. Many states also have specific WPV laws mandating incident reporting, staff training, prevention plans and stricter penalties for offenders and reinforcing support for healthcare workers.

• OSHA and several states mandate WPV prevention measures.
• New regulations include required staff training, incident tracking and harsher penalties for assaults on healthcare workers.
• States like California, New Jersey and Washington have led efforts with robust WPV laws.

Many healthcare WPV programs fall short

Healthcare facilities worldwide face rising WPV, and urgently need to take action to protect healthcare workers. Addressing this is vital, as it directly impacts care quality.

• A 2020 Vizient benchmarking study revealed major gaps in risk assessment, staff training and response planning.
• Most organizations need improvement in violence tracking and prevention protocols.

The future forecast (2025–2065)

Over the next two decades, healthcare WPV is expected to rise, driven by ongoing challenges like high stress, staffing shortages and increased patient acuity—trends already evident in past data.

• WPV will likely increase over the next 20 years due to demographic shifts and persistent system challenges.
• Long-term trends (aging population, improved policies and better tech) may eventually reduce WPV incidents.

Implementation roadmap

To combat WPV, healthcare organizations must tailor prevention strategies to their specific risks, considering facility type, patient population and community context to create safer workplaces.

• Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment
• Foster a culture of safety and support
• Develop and align policies
• Improve training and communication
• Enhance communication and cultural competence
• Engage leadership and build multidisciplinary teams
• Implement environmental modifications
• Invest in technology and infrastructure
• Establish continuous monitoring and improvement
• Develop and prioritize action plans/ solutions

Conclusion

Healthcare WPV is a threat we can no longer ignore. Healthcare leaders must act now to implement evidence-based practices, empower staff and evolve alongside societal changes. A safer workplace isn't just good for employees, it’s essential for better patient outcomes.