Technology Strategies For Deterring Holiday Stress
The holidays are often described as a time of joy and gratitude — but inside hospitals and healthcare facilities, that sentiment can look very different. For many frontline workers, the season brings longer hours, higher stress, and an alarming increase in violence and aggression from patients, families, and even visitors.
It’s a growing crisis across the healthcare industry — and one that demands renewed attention, especially as hospitals brace for seasonal surges and staffing shortages.
A Growing Threat in America’s Hospitals
According to the American College of Surgeons (ACS), incidents of workplace violence in healthcare have risen sharply, with healthcare workers now five times more likely to experience violence than employees in any other industry. From verbal abuse to physical assaults, the problem has become so widespread that nearly every healthcare professional has either witnessed or experienced an incident firsthand.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) estimates that violence against healthcare workers costs hospitals more than $18 billion annually. But beyond the dollars, the toll is deeply human — resulting in burnout, emotional trauma, and staffing shortages that impact patient care.
Why the Holidays Make It Worse
The end-of-year months bring unique challenges for healthcare environments:
Staffing shortages due to vacations, illness, and burnout.
Higher patient volumes, including flu, RSV, and emergency admissions.
Emotional strain among patients and families facing loss, financial stress, or isolation.
Fatigue and pressure among staff managing increased workloads and reduced support.
As CriticalArc notes in its analysis of healthcare safety during the holidays, these pressures create a perfect storm — when stress levels rise and security resources are stretched thin, the risk of violence spikes.
Even pediatric hospitals aren’t immune. Children’s Hospital Colorado, for example, launched a major violence prevention initiative after a surge in aggression toward staff — a heartbreaking reminder that compassion alone isn’t enough to keep caregivers safe.
Protecting Our Heroes in Healthcare
Modern healthcare safety strategies require more than cameras and locks — they demand integration, awareness, and immediate response capability. Here are key strategies facilities are adopting to strengthen protection during high-stress seasons:
1. Comprehensive Access Control
Controlling who can enter — and where — is essential. Smart, networked access systems with badge or biometric authorization ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive areas like emergency departments, behavioral health units, and medication storage. Integration with nurse call and alert systems adds another layer of safety.
2. Real-Time Incident Response
When seconds matter, response delays can escalate risk. Integrated platforms that connect video surveillance, duress alarms, and communication systems allow security teams to locate, assess, and respond to threats immediately — even across large facilities.
3. Staff Duress and Location Technology
Wireless duress devices, worn discreetly by staff, are gaining adoption in hospitals nationwide. When activated, they automatically alert security and show the staff member’s exact location, allowing rapid intervention.
4. Training and Situational Awareness
Technology must pair with education. Many hospitals now provide annual violence prevention and de-escalation training, especially before high-stress holiday shifts. This reinforces awareness and empowers employees to respond calmly and effectively.
5. ComCare Managed Services for Continuous Safety
Through ComCare Managed Services, healthcare organizations gain continuous monitoring, maintenance, and emergency response support for their life-safety systems. From video surveillance to access control and alarm monitoring, ComCare ensures critical systems stay operational — even when staff is stretched thin during the holidays.
Human Impact, Human Response
Behind every headline about healthcare violence are stories of people — nurses, technicians, and physicians — doing their best under extraordinary pressure.
These are the people who show up on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. They deserve more than applause; they deserve protection, empathy, and the tools to feel safe at work.
Looking Forward: A Season for Change
The holidays are a reminder of what matters most — connection, care, and community. But for those working through the season in healthcare, it’s also a time to renew commitment to safety, vigilance, and support.
Violence prevention isn’t a one-time initiative; it’s a continuous effort. With integrated technology, trained response, and managed support systems like ComCare, healthcare facilities can reduce risks, protect their people, and create environments where care can thrive — even during the busiest time of the year.
Because safety shouldn’t take a holiday.
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