Best Self Defense Products for Healthcare Workers

Most healthcare providers start their careers because they want to make a positive impact in the lives of others. They believe in bringing healing to people. Very few of them know or understand the dangers inherent in their jobs. There are situations that are simply not covered in textbooks or in classrooms.

The International Association for Healthcare Safety and Security states that approximately two-thirds of all hospitals are located in areas that are classified as high-crime areas. So even before setting foot in the hospital, they are exposed to a high-risk population. Getting to and from their vehicles can be precarious, especially since many work late into the night.

The very nature of their work means that they are surrounded by people with higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse. Assaults, stabbings and shootings are not uncommon events within the hospital. Surprisingly, these attacks don’t always come from patients. Shortage of staff rations, increased workloads, and increased hours cause nerves to run amok and coworkers to rage.

The American Nursing Association reports the following statistics:

• The healthcare sector leads all other industries, with 45% of all non-fatal assaults on workers resulting in lost workdays in the US.

• From 1993 to 1999 there were approximately 765,000 assaults against healthcare workers that resulted in days away from work

• From 2003 to 2009, 8 registered nurses were SEVERE at work

  – 4 RNs received gunshot wounds (RNs) leading to death

  – 4 nurses received other fatal injuries

  – 8 out of 8 nurses were working in private healthcare facilities (not state or local government)

  – 8 out of 8 registered nurses were between the ages of 35 and 54

• In 2009 there were 2,050 assaults and violent acts reported by registered nurses that required an average of 4 days away from work.

• Of the 2,050 assaults and NON-DEADLY violent acts:

  – 1,830 suffered injuries from patients or residents

  – 80 were inflicted by visitors or people other than patients

  – 520 registered nurses were beaten, kicked or beaten

  – 130 RNs were squeezed, pinched, or scraped and required days away from work

  – 30 registered nurses were bitten

• In 2009, the Association of Emergency Nurses reported that more than 50% of emergency center (EC) nurses had experienced violence from patients at work and 25% of EC nurses had experienced 20 or more. more violent incidents in the last three years.

While hospitals are implementing procedures to manage anger and violence with visible security personnel, cameras and security equipment, more needs to be done. Some offer classes that teach nurses basic self-defense techniques.

There is also an increase in the number of healthcare workers carrying non-lethal self-defense weapons. If hospital policy allows, a stun gun is an excellent option to have inside the hospital. They can deter a situation or disable an attacker long enough for the worker to escape or get help. Only the person with whom the stun gun is making contact will be affected, so there is no chance that an innocent bystander will be injured.

For self defense outside the hospital building, the new Mace pepper spray gun is a great choice. It has a pulsing strobe light that can disorient any potential attacker. It also contains seven full-strength mace bursts with a 25-foot range. The effects of pepper spray can last from 10 to 45 minutes. While it’s not lethal, the baddie can rush to the ER because it causes your eyes to involuntarily close and takes your breath away.

Find out what your hospital’s policies are. If you are allowed to carry personal defense weapons, please do so. Healthcare workers are in the profession to heal, not to hurt themselves.

Stay safe!