America’s hospitals are under siege—not from disease, but from violence. Healthcare workers face a growing crisis, with nurses, doctors, and security personnel increasingly targeted.
This special issue of Security Technology Executive examines key threats reshaping healthcare security, from workplace violence and infant abduction to cybersecurity breaches. Healthcare professionals are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in any other industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gang activity, domestic disputes, and armed intruders are turning hospitals into battlegrounds.
Yet, understaffed security teams, weak access controls, and limited legal protections leave employees vulnerable. The consequences? High turnover, rising insurance costs, and compromised patient care. Despite these risks, many hospital executives hesitate to invest in stronger security, fearing financial strain.
“Workplace violence remains the number one physical threat in healthcare, with incidents increasing across hospitals, community care sites, behavioral health, and home care,” says David Corbin, CPP, CHPA, of Dynamic Security Strategies, LLC.
Data from the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) shows violent crimes in healthcare facilities rose from 1.4 incidents per 100 beds in 2019 to 2.5 in 2021, with simple assaults increasing from 10.9 to 17.7 per 100 beds. Notably, 73% of aggravated assaults and 86% of simple assaults were committed by non-employees, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
