Healthcare and Safety
Workplace safety is emerging as one of the most decisive factors in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals, as incidents of violence in hospitals and clinics continue to rise at an alarming rate.
According to CENTEGIX’s 2026 report, 68% of healthcare professionals say they have experienced at least one incident of violence in the past year. This finding reflects a harsh reality that is directly affecting an already strained healthcare labour market. More than half of healthcare workers (54%) identify safety measures as a key consideration when choosing an employer, making staff protection a strategic priority for healthcare organisations.
However, the survey reveals a significant gap between management initiatives and employees’ perceptions. Some 61% believe that existing policies fail to demonstrate a genuine commitment to safety, while only 36% report having received both theoretical training and practical crisis-scenario exercises during the past year.
The industry is gradually shifting from reactive measures towards more proactive approaches. Hospitals are increasingly investing in threat-detection technologies, including weapons-detection systems and advanced surveillance solutions, in an effort to prevent incidents from escalating.
Employees’ preference for a layered security strategy is particularly noteworthy. They consider the most effective approach to be a combination of on-site security personnel, wearable duress buttons and video surveillance. This model strengthens both prevention and the immediate response to critical incidents.
At the same time, privacy remains a decisive factor in the acceptance of new technologies. Nearly 70% of employees prefer devices that share their location only when an alarm is activated, rather than continuously tracking them. This shows that striking the right balance between safety and personal data protection is critical to the success of any solution.
It is also worth noting that stronger safety measures are directly linked to improvements in the quality of care. Around 45% of employees who use wearable safety technology say it has a positive impact on their performance. It also increases their confidence in the organisation’s ability to manage extreme situations, including incidents involving an armed assailant.
The overall picture suggests that healthcare organisations need to rethink their strategies by adopting a comprehensive approach that combines physical security, privacy-conscious technology and continuous staff training. In an environment of increasing risk, protecting those who care for patients is not merely an obligation. It is a fundamental requirement for the sustainability of the healthcare system itself.