According to a National Nurses United report, 81 percent of nurses have experienced at least one type of workplace violence within the past year and almost half have noticed an increase in violence at their work. Staffing the right number of hospital security guards ensures a safer environment for nurses and patients.

Identifying Risks. Emergency room nurses and doctors are the most at risk. From 2018 to 2023, attacks on ER workers increased by about 25 percent with punching/slapping, kicking and pushing/pulling as the most common. Every ER should have at least one security guard present. The number of security guards should increase if the hospital is in a high-crime area.

Nurses spend much of their day comforting people and in most cases that’s enough to tamper down the threat of violence. Beyond that, a protocol to respond to potentially violent or violent patients should include an alert system so guards can be ready to respond and subdue or remove the individual to a safe location. Guards should be visible on floors and in emergency rooms and be present at patient check-ins.

Access Patrol Services is a bonded and experienced security guard company that provides hospital security services in California and Arizona. All security guards are licensed and can be armed or unarmed.

For more information, call Access Patrol Services at 866-770-0004 or click https://accesspatrolservice.com.