Ninth Annual #HAVhope Friday Raises Awareness of the Cost of Violence Against Healthcare Workers

Across the U.S., healthcare workers continue to face an escalation in workplace violence. This issue has reached alarming proportions, prompting national initiatives like #HAVhope Friday to raise awareness and advocate for change as a new report estimates the total financial cost of violence to hospitals in 2023 was $18.27 billion.

#HAVhope Friday — observed this year on June 6 — marks the ninth annual national day of awareness dedicated to spotlighting the ongoing efforts of America’s hospitals and health systems to address and prevent violence. The initiative, part of the broader Hospitals Against Violence campaign, underscores a nationwide commitment to building safer, more peaceful environments for healthcare workers and patients alike.

Through strategic partnerships, innovative practices, and a focus on community engagement, #HAVhope Friday serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing workplace violence and violence in our communities.

The Burden of Violence to U.S. Hospitals

The report released by the American Hospital Association (AHA) highlights the substantial financial resources hospitals and health systems spend on preventing and responding to violence in their facilities and communities.

Analyzing the financial costs and broader impacts of violence and threatening behavior, the report estimates the total financial cost of violence to hospitals in 2023 was $18.27 billion. This amount is comprised of:

• Pre-event costs associated with violence in the community and within facilities are estimated at $3.62 billion, primarily for prevention measures.
• Post-event costs for healthcare, work loss costs, case management, staffing, and infrastructure repair are estimated at $14.65 billion.

The report shows the estimated cost of violence to U.S. hospitals has increased since 2016 when the cost was estimated to be $2.7 billion. This increase is in part driven by a broader definition of violence, inclusion of more cost components, and a higher incidence of violent events.

The report indicates that additional impacts, like public perception, staff recruitment and retention, legal concerns, job satisfaction, and psychological harm to healthcare workers, are significant but difficult to quantify due to limited data.

Healthcare workers who experience or witness violence often suffer psychological effects that negatively affect their well-being, reduce job satisfaction, and lower productivity. These effects can contribute to staffing changes, further straining hospitals.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, workplace violence in the healthcare industry accounted for a rate of 14 nonfatal injuries involving days away from work per 10,000 full-time equivalents in 2021-2022. This is more than triple the overall rate for all industries combined. While healthcare workers make up 10% of the workforce, they experience 48% of nonfatal injuries due to workplace violence.

AHA reports that nearly half of all nurses have been physically assaulted at work, and 68% experienced verbal abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. These incidents are not isolated; they are part of a troubling trend that was intensified by the pandemic.

AHA helps guide hospital and health system leadership to address the issues of violence in their workplaces, with an emphasis on educating and protecting the workforce. Healthcare professionals can view resources, including information on AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence framework, which details the four pillars necessary for implementing a comprehensive violence mitigation strategy: trauma support, violence intervention, culture of safety and mitigating risk.

The Save Healthcare Workers Act

While the Save Healthcare Workers Act has garnered bipartisan support, its passage remains pending. Advocates argue that swift legislative action is essential to address the growing threat to healthcare workers and ensure a safe environment for patient care.

This bill, which WellLink Health Alliance supports, would make it a federal crime to assault hospital workers, similar to current federal law protecting airline and airport workers, and would provide funding for training and violence prevention programs.

Addressing workplace violence in healthcare settings requires a collective effort from all sectors of society. Community members can support healthcare workers by advocating for policy changes, promoting a culture of respect and empathy, and participating in awareness campaigns such as #HAVhope Friday.

Patients and their families also play a crucial role in creating a safe environment. By understanding the challenges faced by healthcare workers, the community can contribute to reducing tensions and fostering a positive atmosphere in healthcare settings.

You can learn more about #HAVhope Friday by visiting AHA’s website.