From verbal abuse to physical assaults, healthcare workers on a daily basis face threats to their safety, according to an article on the Crain's Cleveland Business website.
Hospitals have to strike a balance between security concerns and offering easily accessible facilities for patients to seek care and others to visit loved ones.
To that end, some health systems have implemented panic buttons, badge access to certain areas, limited guest hours, metal detectors, police presence, security cameras as well as de-escalation and emergency preparedness training
It's up to each organization to address its own situation. What works in a rural hospital may not make sense in an urban setting, said Gerard Castro, project director for patient safety initiatives at The Joint Commission.