This week, senators introduced a bipartisan bill that would make it a federal crime to assault hospital workers. Even though nearly 40 states have passed laws to intensify penalties for violent acts committed against healthcare personnel, there is currently no federal law protecting hospital employees from assault or intimidation. 

A new survey revealed that 64% of clinicians feel physically unsafe at work. The perceived risk of violence was especially high among women, clinicians under age 40, emergency department physicians and employees who work with patients struggling with addiction or other mental health conditions.

Recently proposed legislation sheds light on workplace violence in healthcare settings, but it’s not enough to stop the problem.