Nearly 3 in 5 Americans report concern for the safety of loved ones from physical harm or danger in hospitals and medical facilities
Nearly three in five Americans (60%) report being concerned about the safety and security of loved ones in a hospital or medical facility (defined as “safety from physical harm, injury or danger caused by a person”), according to a March consumer survey from Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX).
With incidents of workplace violence in healthcare on the rise across the nation (see BLS Fact Sheet), the survey additionally reveals that approximately 70% of Americans believe that if nurses felt safer, they might not be leaving the profession in large numbers and 88% say individuals in a hospital or medical facility should feel as safe there as they do in airports and/or on airplanes.
These results make it clear that Americans are justifiably concerned about workplace violence in healthcare. We know violence is a contributing factor to nurses leaving the profession and rising levels of burnout which ultimately has a negative effect on patient care. More than ever, it’s vital for hospital leadership to create a safer, more secure environment for staff, patients and visitors and support policies that adopt a zero-tolerance approach to workplace violence.
Chrystie Leonard, general manager, GHX Vendormate
Additional key takeaways:
- 58% of Americans are worried about nurses and other clinicians being harmed while on hospital property
- 66% of Americans agree nurses and other frontline healthcare workers are more likely than those in other professions to be victims of workplace violence and 69% agree safety is a cause of nurses leaving the profession in large numbers
- More than half of Americans (57%) say burn out from the past few years plays a role in contributing to healthcare labor shortages
- Almost 9 in 10 Americans (88%) believe that keeping track of every hospital visitor is essential to safety
- 82% of Americans believe that more state/federal action should be taken to keep healthcare workers safe
- 3 in 4 Americans (75%) say that hospitals have an opportunity to improve the safety and security of their facilities
- 63% of Americans are concerned about someone unauthorized walking the halls of a hospital and two in five Americans (40%), or more than 100 million people, don’t feel safe entering a hospital and/or medical facility today
Survey methodology
This online survey was fielded by Regina Corso Consulting on behalf of GHX in March 2022. The survey collected responses from 2,063 U.S. adults, aged 18 and older, and is balanced to be representative of the U.S. collectively based on 2020 Census data.
For more information on how visitor facility access management can be a tool in helping to increase facility safety, read GHX’s Healthcare Hub blog.