By By Dan Hounsell

Workplace violence remains a major challenge for healthcare facilities. The issue has become such a high priority that the Joint Commission recently proposed new and revised standards for workplace violence prevention in hospitals and critical access hospital accreditation programs

To address the problem in and around its facilities, the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare officials recently announced they will add security measures in its emergency departments and healthcare facilities in response to increasing reports of violence taking place across the nation in healthcare settings, according to Security.

One of those measures includes UK police using handheld metal detectors to wand all patients and visitors entering the emergency departments at UK Chandler Hospital and UK Good Samaritan Hospital.

Security leaders also are reminding staff, students and community members of protocols and procedures already in place, including reminding UK HealthCare providers and staff to use employee entrances rather than public emergency entrances to reduce congestion at public entrances.