Workplace violence, encompassing acts or threats of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or disruptive conduct, has increased over recent years, especially in the healthcare sector. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), healthcare workers are five times more likely to sustain an injury from workplace violence than other professions. In response to the increase in workplace violence, Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) established the Safety & Security Department in 2021. A combination of the Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) Police and safety assistants and specialists, the Safety & Security Department aims to provide a safe environment that allows the clinical staff to provide optimal patient care.

A strategy rarely seen in healthcare settings, LMHS has developed a unique approach by blending law enforcement officers with dedicated safety employees. This integration has led to a significant reduction in workplace violence. Safety assistants and specialists serve as an important intermediary, helping staff de-escalate tense situations without immediately involving LMH Police, which can feel intimidating in non-criminal circumstances. Since introducing the safety team, LMHS has achieved a 51 percent decrease in workplace violence between 2020 and 2024.

All Safety & Security staff are trained in crisis prevention and de-escalation techniques. Using the evidence-based Aegis Training program, the safety team is equipped with the skills needed to stay prepared and confident when facing challenging conditions.  The staff is trained to respond quickly, communicate, and work together under pressure. To ensure that everyone is ready to handle complex situations, the Safety & Security team provides this training and other security training to clinical staff.  The Safety & Security Department also works to cultivate a culture in which the Hospital staff feels comfortable contacting the safety team to mitigate stressful settings. Developing trusting and supportive relationships with clinical employees has directly contributed to the reduction in workplace violence. LMH employees regard the Safety & Security Department as essential to maintaining a safe workplace and has come to rely on the department to defuse problems and prevent aggressive behavior.

In addition to workplace violence prevention, Safety & Security also oversees the Hospital’s emergency management protocols.  The department holds disaster preparedness drills that train staff on how to respond to traumatic events such as mass casualty incidents. If such an event were to occur, the Safety & Security Department is responsible for coordinating with fire departments, police, and other local emergency agencies to make sure those involved receive prompt and quality care. The department also works closely with the Central Ohio Trauma System to effectively communicate with other agencies during a mass casualty event.

In order to protect employees from exposure to fentanyl, Safety & Security and Nursing collaborated to implement procedures and a new Hospital code, Code White. With increased illegal use of opioids, including synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and its analogue, carfentanil, it was deemed necessary to create a policy to guide response to a medical emergency in which suspected fentanyl is present, likely the cause, or the suspected cause of the medical emergency, and a risk of secondary exposure to responding staff. In addition to the new code, the Safety & Security Department provides fentanyl and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) education to LMHS Staff and placed Code White response bags that contain all PPE needed for response, including Narcan atomizers, on all the units and departments throughout LMH. A decontamination policy was also written and implemented for the Environmental Services Department, and a panic button is included on the Vocera devices for Emergency Department staff use.

To further support LMHS staff and make certain all employees, visitors, and patients are safe, secure, and protected, the Safety & Security team provides training on hazardous materials, fire protection, and other common safety issues. They also make sure that staff have reliable PPE.

Responding to over 7,000 calls for assistance in 2024, the Safety & Security Department emphasizes an environment in which employees recognize when harm could occur, feel confident reporting dangerous conditions, and express opportunities for improvement. The Safety & Security team diligently strive to solve and address safety concerns to render positive outcomes for both patients and staff.