Article
What the groups said
On April 16, ten national organizations released a joint statement for Workplace Violence Prevention Month. Signers include the American Hospital Association, the American Nurses Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Children’s Hospital Association, the National Rural Health Association and groups representing physician associates, psychiatrists, health-system pharmacists and social workers.
The statement cites federal labor data showing that health care and social service workers face workplace violence at higher rates than workers in any other sector. It says violence harms the safety and dignity of care settings, adds to burnout and turnover and weakens patient care. The groups commit to raise awareness, drive action and work together across professions, and they describe the problem as preventable.
Why a statement matters
The statement itself contains no new rules or funding. Its value is the shared position. When hospital associations, nurses, emergency physicians and medical schools agree that violence is preventable, staff, regulators and lawmakers will expect each hospital to show its prevention plan. Leaders who treat violence as an unavoidable part of emergency or behavioral health work will find that view harder to defend.
The workforce case is also strong. Safety concerns can push nurses and other staff to leave. Every resignation tied to fear or injury adds recruiting, onboarding and agency costs.
Turning words into action
- Fix the data: Many incidents, especially verbal threats, go unreported. Make reporting simple and act on reports so staff see a response.
- Bring it to the board: Add workplace violence rates and trends to the quality and safety dashboard, broken out by unit.
- Focus on high-risk areas: Emergency departments, behavioral health units and inpatient units with long boarding times need tailored staffing, design and security plans.
- Train for de-escalation: Give front-line staff regular, practical training and clear paths to call for help.
- Support people after incidents: Offer prompt debriefs, time off when needed and help pressing charges when staff choose to.
- Use shared resources: The AHA’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative collects tools and examples hospitals can adapt.
Archive entry for Apr 17, 2026, added Nov. 11, 2026.