The Role of Training and Communication in Preventing Healthcare Violence

Written By Rebecca Rendahl

Healthcare facilities are often very busy places. Doctors, nurses, and staff work hard to care for many patients at once. Patients are in pain, families are worried, and healthcare staff are under pressure to help everyone quickly. The chaos of a busy hospital can make it difficult to notice threats, allowing them to go undetected until it's too late.

It doesn’t have to be this way. This blog highlights how providing cross-training to healthcare staff and security personnel can improve communication to detect threats sooner. Training both groups leads to more coordinated responses to dangerous situations and contributes to a safer healthcare environment.

The Impact of Violence in Healthcare

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare employees are five times more likely to get injured because of violence at work than any other industry. The same survey found that although healthcare workers make up only 13% of the workforce, they face 73% of all violent injuries at work. In addition, a survey by National Nurses United in 2024 found that eight out of ten nurses experienced workplace violence in the past year. 

These experiences have effects on care providers and patients alike. When healthcare workers are scared for their safety, distracted by violent patients or family members, or dealing with trauma from previous violent incidents, patient care suffers. These violent events also use up many hospital and healthcare resources, which means less quality care for patients. A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that there is an estimated cost of $429 million per year for hospitals from violence against healthcare workers. 

These numbers emphasize the need to take preventative measures regarding healthcare safety. You can read more about this topic in our recent blog, “Preventing Violence in America's Hospitals and Healthcare Systems.”

The Importance of Communication in Healthcare Safety

Healthcare staff should be trained in similar safety protocols as security teams to spot threats early, effectively communicate, and take quick action. Training can help them detect patterns of behavior, notice deviations from those patterns, dismiss non-threats, and take action based on potential threats. This shared knowledge can help nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers recognize warning signs and alert security before situations escalate. Security staff should receive similar threat detection training but with advanced strategies and techniques to identify weapons and preparatory actions for violence to handle those violent situations better. 

By learning similar terms and techniques through complementary training, both groups can speak a common language when assessing and responding to threats. This shared language eliminates confusion, enhances coordination, and leads to quicker reporting and decision-making in urgent situations. The team at Second Sight Training Systems can help meet this need. 

Working from a common approach allows teams to act quickly and cohesively to prevent or manage risks. Aligning the training of healthcare workers and security professionals can create a safer space where everyone can respond to potential threats quickly, accurately, and confidently. This dual focus significantly de-escalates incidents and ensures a more coordinated response, ultimately making healthcare facilities safer for everyone. 

Healthcare staff who are dealing directly with volatile and potentially violent individuals can use a variety of techniques to de-escalate situations when dealing with angry individuals or intense situations. To learn more about these methods, check out our blog, “De-escalation Techniques for LE-Citizen Encounters.” 

Training for Healthcare Staff

Healthcare workers often manage multiple responsibilities, from caring for patients and communicating with families to collaborating with their team and attending to new arrivals. In such fast-paced environments, it's easy to become so focused that warning signs of potential threats go unnoticed.

The Situational Awareness for Safety course from Second Sight Training Systems helps healthcare workers stay aware of their surroundings and recognize potential threats early. This training teaches participants how to spot dangerous situations before they escalate. It also teaches concepts and techniques similar to the foundation of our security training. It is available online and instructor-led.

In a survey conducted of 120 healthcare professionals who took our Situational Awareness for Safety course across three deliveries in Benton County, Oregon (2023), Westen Massachusettes (2024), and Albany, New York (2024), participants said they agreed or strongly agreed with the following statements:

  • This course left me feeling better prepared to observe any environment (95.8%)

  • This course left me better prepared to look for threats (93.3%)

  • This course left me better prepared to take action and keep myself safe (93.2%)

  • Overall, this course will assist me in my job (89.9%)

  • Overall, this course will assist me in my personal safety (92.4%)

Hear what some of our past healthcare staff participants have to say:

Training for Healthcare Security

Spotting unusual or suspicious behavior in real-time is a key responsibility for security professionals and the first step in responding to potential threats. Second Sight Training Systems provides two specialized courses to enhance these critical skills: Threat Observation and Threat Awareness for Security Professionals. The foundation for both of these courses is similar to that for healthcare staff, so both groups will be able to communicate with each other effectively. Both courses are available online or through instructor-led sessions, offering flexible learning options.

  • Threat Observation is a 4-hour online course that teaches security professionals how to spot active threats using research-based methods.  Learners will master how to use the Behavioral Baseline Instrument (BBI) to understand normal behavior, spot unusual behavior, and identify a Person of Interest (POI).

  • Threat Awareness for Security Professionals is an 8-hour course that builds on the Threat Observation course.  Learners will weave the assessment of behavioral threat indicators into their assessments of a person of interest, to determine what type of threat they are observing - including identifying those carrying weapons. 

In a survey conducted of about 70 healthcare security professionals after taking our Threat Awareness for Security Professionals program, participants either agreed or strongly agreed with the following statements:

  • The program’s content, activities, and assignments will assist me in my job (97%)

  • This program left me better prepared to use visual behavior to identify a suspicious person (97%) 

  • This program provided new tools to help me articulate my decisions (95.4%)

  • This program provided practical exercises that assisted in furthering my understanding of what was taught and how it applies to my mission (97%) 

Hear what past security staff participants had to say:

De-escalation Training Coming Soon

Our upcoming de-escalation training will equip you and your team with best practices for effectively managing tense or challenging situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of both patients and staff. Learn techniques to calmly diffuse conflicts and confidently handle emotionally charged interactions. Stay tuned for more details on how you can enhance your skills and create a safer environment in any healthcare setting.

Get Training for Your Team

It is time to prioritize safety in healthcare. Train your team with the skills they need to recognize and communicate potential threats early. Our programs work hand-in-hand to keep healthcare workers safe. If you are interested in getting training for yourself or your team, email us (info@secondsight-ts.com) or contact us below. 

Rebecca Rendahl
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