How does workplace violence impact UCSF Health and healthcare nationwide?
Workplace violence in healthcare continues to increase across the United States:
Healthcare workers experience workplace violence at rates five times higher than workers in other industries (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Nearly 75% of workplace assaults occur in healthcare settings (OSHA).
Incidents are most common in emergency departments, behavioral health settings, and high-acuity inpatient environments.
UCSF Health’s internal data reflects similar patterns, with patient-related aggression representing the primary driver of workplace violence incidents, particularly in high-acuity clinical areas. Recognizing this national trend, UCSF Health has implemented and continues to expand a comprehensive safety strategy focused on prevention, response, and transparency.
How is UCSF Health supporting safety and security?
UCSF Health is implementing a coordinated, systemwide approach to safety and security. The strategy is built around three core pillars: Prevention and Detection; Security Workforce and Operational Presence; and Workforce Enablement and Culture.
Prevention and Detection
UCSF Health is investing in technology and systems that improve risk identification and situational awareness across campuses. These tools allow security teams to identify potential risks earlier and support coordinated response across locations.
Security Workforce and Operational Presence
UCSF Health continues to strengthen security staffing, training, and operational practices to support a proactive security presence in high-acuity environments. This includes de-escalation and response training; increased patrols and proactive rounding; and collaboration between clinical teams and security personnel.
Workforce Enablement and Culture
A safe environment requires a culture that supports reporting, communication, and shared accountability. To support transparency and reinforce an organizational commitment to improvement, UCSF Health continues to strengthen processes, escalation pathways and feedback mechanisms.
What safety enhancements are being implemented?
Security enhancements are being implemented in phases across UCSF Health campuses. These improvements support a layered security model across the UCSF Health system, combining technology, staffing, and operational protocols to reduce risk and improve response.
Key initiatives include:
Visitor management systems that require check-in, and identification badges for individuals entering hospital facilities.
Weapons detection technology at hospital entrances designed to identify prohibited items while maintaining patient and visitor flow.
Improved vendor management processes to ensure that vendors entering our facilities are properly registered and authorized before accessing clinical spaces.
Proactive security presence, including increased patrols and leadership rounding.
Mobile duress tools that allow staff in high-risk areas to alert security immediately when assistance is needed, enabling faster response during safety incidents.
See more details in the full FAQ (UCSF access required).