The following is a guest article by Chad Salahshour, President & CEO at 911Cellular
Violence against healthcare workers is a national crisis. It’s not only costing the industry billions of dollars each year, but it’s putting immense strain on the essential workers who are the backbone of hospitals and health facilities. As the annual costs of healthcare workplace violence continue to climb, and the impacts hurt everything from staffing to quality of care, hospitals and their patients are suffering and urgently need help.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers “intentionally injured by another person” in the workplace account for roughly 75% of all workplace violence injuries in the country. In 2024, a report by the group National Nurses United found that 81.6% of nurses reported experiencing workplace violence the previous year.
The total annual price tag of the crisis is staggering. A report by the American Hospital Association (AHA) estimated the cost of workplace violence in the healthcare industry was $18.27 billion in 2023. The study also found that the “incidence of violence has significantly increased in the U.S. over the past decade, with rising rates of assault, homicide, suicide, and firearm violence, which were further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Financial losses mainly include costs for health care, staffing, replacement and repair of infrastructure and equipment, legal expenses, and community and public relations ($14.65 billion). But there are additional impacts of violence that cannot be quantified: public perception, staff recruitment and retention, job satisfaction for health care workers, and psychological effects on staff like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Industry leaders also must recognize violence prevention as a clinical quality metric, not just a security concern. It results in slowed triage, derailed rounds, disrupted medication administration, and hospital staff burnout, which can drive other inefficiencies that ripple across every unit.
Select states have taken the lead by establishing various laws to combat the crisis. Unfortunately, a patchwork legislative approach, while good-intentioned, is unlikely to get to the root of workplace violence. Healthcare leaders shouldn’t believe that mere compliance will fix this problem. Current laws are geographically scattered, and some states impose only minimal requirements that fall well short of critical incident management best practices.
It’s imperative that industry leaders acknowledge the crisis and meet it head-on with highly effective IT solutions that reflect the same commitment to professionalism and excellence exemplified by our top healthcare professionals–because ignoring the crisis is inherently costly.
Hospitals and healthcare systems across the country are already facing rising operating costs, falling staffing rates, and uncertainty when it comes to sources of funding. Tragically, violence in healthcare settings continues to rise, especially in emergency departments, behavioral health units, and overnight shifts.
Prioritization is key. Healthcare leaders already know where the highest risks lie: the emergency room, the intake desk, behavioral health floors, home healthcare, and any area where staff work alone or after hours. This is where a facility’s safety strategy should begin.
The first step is identifying low-lift, high-impact technology that is easy to deploy, intuitive for staff, and effective in real emergencies.
Computer Panic Buttons are a software solution that turns any desktop or laptop into a silent duress button. Staff can activate an alert with a keystroke or mouse click, instantly notifying responders and providing down-to-the-floor and room number accurate location data. No new hardware required, no major rollout needed— just a simple, cost-effective way to give staff a critical lifeline.
Wall-Mounted Panic Buttons are ideal for fixed locations with high foot traffic, potential for confrontation, and visitors. They are most effective when installed in public areas such as waiting rooms, lobbies, and intake desks. These durable and easy-to-use duress devices provide a blanket layer of protection for healthcare facilities.
Wearable Panic Buttons are designed for personnel in the most volatile environments, like behavioral health units, emergency departments, or night shifts. A discreet, wearable panic button that allows for instant alerts without needing to reach a phone or workstation adds a crucial layer of protection for the highest-risk teams.
Mobile Safety Apps allow staff to discreetly signal for help from any IOS or Android device, smartwatch, or paired Bluetooth panic button. It includes real-time location tracking, optional audio and video streaming, customizable activation methods, and other resources to keep staff safe and informed.
Safety isn’t just a policy. It’s a culture that sustains itself. With safety comes confidence. Confidence builds trust. And trust builds reputation. For staff, reputation attracts top talent because a strong safety reputation can matter as much as pay or location. For patients, it signals something deeper: a culture of care, from bedside to boardroom.
Chad Salahshour is a former police officer and the president and CEO at 911Cellular, an emergency alert system, safety app, and panic button company protecting over 1 million community members worldwide.
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