Targeted violence in health care is a serious concern, as it can compromise access to and delivery of care, create a hostile work environment, and impact the overall safety and quality of the health care experience.
Hospitals and health systems try to prevent and address these incidents through security measures, training programs and policies aimed at ensuring the safety of both health care workers and patients. Additionally, creating awareness and promoting a culture of respect within health care settings are essential components in preventing and mitigating targeted violence.
The AHA has partnered with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit to promote violence prevention strategies and address the escalating threats and acts of targeted violence against health care facilities and the workforce.
This webpage offers AHA and FBI resources for hospitals and health systems to implement threat assessment and threat management principles or enhance their existing efforts.
FEATURED RESOURCE
A Tiered Approach for Addressing Concerns and Targeted Violence
Targeted violence in health care is a serious and growing concern among patients, workers, providers, and communities. To assist in addressing these concerns, the AHA has partnered with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit to promote violence prevention strategies and address the escalating threats and acts of targeted violence against health care facilities and their workforce.
AHA | FBI RESOURCES
PODCAST
FBI Violence Prevention Strategies to Assess and Manage Threats Against Health Care
Explores the meaning of threat assessment and threat management (TATM) teams and how it applies to the threat of violence against hospitals and health care teams.
FBI RESOURCE
U.S. Department of Justice - FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. Making Prevention a Reality: Identifying, Assessing, and Managing the Threat of Targeted Attacks
A practical guide on assessing and managing the threat of targeted violence containing concrete strategies to help communities prevent these types of incidents.
ISSUE BRIEF
Mitigating the Risk of Violence
Shares considerations when assessing potential risks, strategies to mitigating violence and insights on making the care environment safer.
FBI RESOURCE
Active Shooter Planning and Response in a Healthcare Setting
Provides guidance on how to prepare and respond to an active shooter in health care and includes law enforcement tactics and integrated medical and mental health response.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- American Society for Health Care Risk Management's
(ASHRM) Health Care Facility Workplace Violence Risk Assessment Toolkit - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Health Care Facility Design Safety Risk Assessment Toolkit
- International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety Foundation (IAHSS) Threat Assessment Strategies to Mitigate Violence in Healthcare
- International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS). Guidelines for Program Administration
- International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) The Beat article. Healthcare Threat Management: What's Different and Why
- Maryland Center for School Safety. Behavioral Threat Assessment implementation guide
- US Department of Homeland Security's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships. Threat Assessment and Threat Management Teams