Swearing, threats and physical violence: unfortunately, it is increasingly common in healthcare institutions. As a result, healthcare workers regularly feel unsafe at work. Healthcare security can provide a solution. More about this in this article healthcare security: what is it en why is it necessary?
What is healthcare security?
Healthcare security is deploying security guards in healthcare institutions, like:
- hospitals;
- nursing homes;
- general practices;
- disability organizations;
- nursing homes;
- psychologist practices;
- and psychiatric institutions.
Why is healthcare security necessary?
The risk of violence is present in every institution, but unfortunately this risk is greater in healthcare than in other institutions. Although violence cannot be justified, it is often the result of impotence that patients and visitors create a threatening situation for employees, other patients and visitors.
Often there is stressful situations they take care of fear and frustration in patients and their relatives. Violence can also result from it illness of patients (for example, when there is a psychological or psychiatric disorder).
Increased aggression in healthcare
In recent years we have seen a worrying trend: aggression in the healthcare sector is on the rise. In 2021, a majority of healthcare providers (63%) indicated that they sometimes experience aggression in the workplace. This is according to research among five hundred healthcare workers conducted by health insurer VGZ, Stichting IZZ and platform for mental wellbeing Openup. This aggression mainly comes from patients and visitors. Some caregivers even experience this aggression every day. One in five healthcare workers say they feel unsafe at work.
Consequences of aggression in healthcare
The consequences of aggression in healthcare should not be underestimated: when there is no safe situation, staff cannot do their job properly and patients do not feel comfortable, which can have an adverse effect on their recovery.
In addition, aggression has a huge impact on the well-being of our healthcare workers. It leads to stress, frustration and tension complaints. From the above research it even turned out that 16% of healthcare workers are considering looking for another job because of this. This is worrying, because there is already a serious staff shortage among healthcare workers.
Conclusion
Security in healthcare facilities is very important. Care security guards ensure a pleasant atmosphere through a proactive, hospitable and caring attitude. Care security officers prevent calamities, ensure that staff can focus on their (often stressful) work and that patients can focus on recovery. Read more about healthcare security here.