Workplace incivility and violence in health systems continue spiraling in 2025, intensifying strain on healthcare staff nationwide. A 2023 National Nurses United (NNU) survey found that 81.6% of nurses faced some form of workplace violence — verbal threats, physical aggression, or both — and 45.5% reported an increase in their unit in the past year. This increased incivility underscores the urgent need for health systems to reevaluate safety protocols.
What’s Fueling the Increase in Incivility?
Understaffing and Stress
With low nurse-to-patient ratios, patients and visitors are more likely to become frustrated, often taking it out on the staff. Fewer nurses on hand for prevention, de-escalation, or rapid response contribute to rising tensions.
Normalization of Violence
Many healthcare workers feel violence has become part of the job. Surveys show only 31.7% of nurses say their workplace had clear reporting systems, while 62.8% received preventive training.
Broader Cultural and Legislative Context
Societal unrest and the aftermath of COVID-era tensions have increased occurrences of violence in waiting rooms and emergency departments. Costs to hospitals now surpass $18 billion annually.
How Health Systems Are Responding To Increased Incivility
1. Safety Infrastructure Upgrades
As per Becker’s reporting, Inova Health has poured nearly $40 million into security enhancements: more armed guards, metal detection in ERs, de‑escalation training, and AI‑powered video analytics.
2. Strengthening Reporting Culture
Inova’s CEO J. Stephen Jones, leads weekly huddles to reinforce that reporting incivility is mandatory. The message: “Respectful behavior is a requirement — visitors who can’t comply will be removed.”
3. Policy and Law Enforcement Collaboration
Louisville-based Baptist Health introduced intervention training and formal visitor protocols, supporting legal efforts like Iowa’s HB 310 and Kentucky’s HB 194 to classify assaults on health workers as felonies.
4. Federal and Regulatory Developments
OSHA’s draft workplace violence rule (expected 2025) and The Joint Commission’s July 2025 prevention standards are pushing hospitals to adopt formal hazard assessments, staff safety policies, and incident tracking
Conclusion
As healthcare workplace incivility escalates in 2025, hospitals are compelled to invest heavily in security, refine policies, and support national legislation. Until stricter laws, consistent reporting systems, and safer staffing become the norm, frontline caregivers will continue to bear the brunt of these issues.
