Healthcare workers are estimated to be five times more likely to be injured in a workplace violence incident than workers in all other private sector industries combined, the American College of Surgeons reported.

Nurses have also spoken out, calling patient violence a “silent epidemic.” A 2023 survey found that over 80% of nurses experienced at least one type of workplace violence, with 36% being physically slapped, punched or kicked, and 30% having bodily fluids thrown at them.