Health care workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence injuries than workers in other industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
On June 6, the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) and Gov. Mike Braun recognized Hospitals Against Violence Day, bringing attention to a troubling trend that endangers both caregivers and the quality of patient care.
Hospitals Against Violence Day was launched nationally in 2016 to combat the rising incidents of violence in health care settings. In his proclamation, Braun emphasized the broad consequences of such violence, which impacts not only health care professionals but also patients and the overall system.
“Caregivers dedicate their lives to healing others and deserve a workplace where they feel safe and secure,” said Larry Tracy, president of Memorial Hospital in South Bend and chair of IHA’s Council on Quality and Safety. “We welcome and appreciate Gov. Braun issuing this proclamation and standing with all Hoosier hospitals to help prevent further violence.”
A 2023 report from the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety highlighted a 105.6% increase in simple assault incidents per 100 hospital beds over a ten-year period. The rise was particularly steep from 2020 to 2022, coinciding with the pandemic’s heightened stress on health care systems.
Hospitals across Indiana are implementing safety measures to protect their staff. Reid Health in Richmond recently demonstrated the importance of proactive training during a nearly four-hour lockdown in April due to an active shooter threat. Though the threat was ultimately off-campus, Jennifer Hendrickson, Reid’s emergency operations and safety manager, said the incident underscored the value of preparation.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint. It can’t be viewed as just the latest trend,” Hendrickson said. “It requires a lot of attention and support to maintain, and hospital leadership must be involved.”
At Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, safety protocols include metal detectors, X-ray machines, increased lighting, and panic buttons. However, Associate Chief Nursing Officer Crissy Lough noted that the pandemic exhausted staff and intensified workplace violence.
“The stress of the pandemic exhausted our staff and they cannot continue to be assaulted either physically or verbally,” Lough said.
According to a report from the American Hospital Association, U.S. hospitals spent $14.65 billion in 2023 responding to workplace violence and another $3.62 billion on preventive measures.
Efforts to increase protections for Indiana health care workers saw partial success during the 2025 legislative session. Senate Bill 419, which proposed expanded penalties for violence against all health care workers, passed the Senate but did not advance in the House. Tracy, who testified in support of the bill, said additional measures are necessary.
“More needs to be done to hold those who commit violence accountable for their actions,” Tracy said.
The IHA continues its efforts through its Safe and Sound initiative, which focuses on violence prevention, data analysis and member training.
“The public doesn’t usually see the physical and verbal abuse our health care workers endure on a day-to-day basis,” said Laurie Gerdt, IHA’s quality and patient safety advisor. “We have to continue the conversation that our hospitals do not stand for aggressive behavior and address it head-on.”
For more information about workplace safety initiatives and resources, visit ihaconnect.org.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
