The Hazards of Workplace Violence
- “The healthcare industry leads all other sectors in nonfatal workplace assaults, and the emergency department is a particularly vulnerable setting.” – Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
- “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, assaults on healthcare workers are the most common cause of nonfatal injury or illness requiring time off work in the healthcare industry.” – Source
The Cost of Workplace Violence
- McGovern et al. (2000) found that 344 nonfatal assaults in Minnesota cost employers an estimated $5,885,448, including medical expenses, lost wages, legal fees, and other costs. The average cost per case was $31,643 for registered nurses and $17,585 for licensed practical nurses.
- Annual workplace violence costs for 2.1% of nurses reporting injuries totaled $94,156 ($78,924 for treatment and $15,232 for indemnity). – Speroni et al. (2014)
- An Oceanside nurse was awarded nearly $5M in damages after an assault. – Source
Our Solution: EVE4HP Training
Course Overview
- Target Audience: All levels of in-hospital and home healthcare settings (RNs, LPNs, MDs, Technicians, CNAs)
- Course Length: 8 Hours
- Focus Areas:
- Violence Prevention – Recognizing and mitigating potential threats
- Customer Service Strategies – Using professional communication to reduce the risk of aggression
Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive 24/7 online access to review materials for continued learning.
Hospital staff nationwide praise EVE4HP for its real-world training in:
- Threat recognition
- De-escalation techniques
- Escape strategies in emergency settings
Download the Informational PDF
Real-World Application
The EVE4HP course provides healthcare providers with the skills necessary to recognize, avoid, escape, or defend against workplace violence. Unlike traditional “feel-good” courses, this training is based on realistic scenarios and equips practitioners with practical concepts that work in unpredictable environments.
The Reality of Violence in Healthcare Settings:
- Crisis situations can escalate quickly into rage and aggression
- Diabetic reactions, mental health crises, and substance abuse can lead to unpredictable behavior
- Career criminals and violent patients may lash out, even while receiving life-saving care
Traditional idealistic training models often fail in real-world healthcare settings, leaving employees unprepared and at risk. Without proper training, staff may be forced to improvise defense tactics, which can lead to legal liability and career consequences.
EVE4HP ensures healthcare professionals have the tools they need to respond appropriately and defensibly.
Why Choose EVE4HP?
- Practical Training for Any Medical Setting – Whether working alone in a patient’s room or in a crowded ER, EVE4HP teaches individualized self-defense techniques that can be used without a team-based approach.
- Simple, Effective, and Retainable Techniques – Unlike traditional programs, this training does not rely on complicated moves that are easily forgotten. Instead, participants learn universal problem-solving strategies that can be applied in real-world emergencies.
- Defensible Self-Defense Training – Healthcare professionals face daily risks of assault, and without training, their instinctive responses may lead to legal liability. EVE4HP provides clear Assault Response Guidelines to ensure reasonable and legally justified actions.
- Liability-Conscious Training – Participants learn how to document and articulate their actions, ensuring their decisions hold up to legal and ethical scrutiny. Proper training reduces organizational liability and ensures staff safety.
Course Curriculum
The 8-hour EVE4HP course covers the essential skills that every healthcare provider should have when facing potential or imminent assault.
Key Topics Covered:
- Pre-Planning Before Entering a Room or Home
- Verbal De-escalation Techniques
- Recognizing the Difference Between a Patient and an Aggressor
- Pre-Assault Indicators (Situational Awareness, Bystander Behavior, Body Language)
- The Six D’s of Violence (Drugged, Domestic, Diabetic, Deranged, Drunk, and Desperate)
- Legal Aspects of Self-Defense and Patient Restraint
- Survival Mindset & Stress Management
- Incident Documentation (DT4EMS Assault Response Form)
- Courtroom Demeanor
- Customer Service Strategies to Prevent Conflict
- Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving During an Attack
- Escape Techniques from Various Grabs and Holds
- Reaction Timing Drills to Reinforce Self-Defense Skills
- Training in the Four Specific Areas of Self-Defense for Healthcare Workers
Proven Impact of EVE4HP Training
Since 1997, DT4EMS has trained thousands of EMTs, paramedics, nurses, and firefighters across the country. Many hospitals, fire departments, and EMS agencies have made EVE4HP mandatory for their emergency medicine and pre-hospital staff.
Why Organizations Choose EVE4HP:
- Emergency department staff are threatened, yelled at, or assaulted almost daily.
- Studies confirm that workplace violence is a leading cause of lost work hours in emergency medicine.
- Healthcare organizations need a defensible, liability-conscious approach to staff safety.
Take Action Today
Protect your staff, patients, and agency with EVE4HP training.
For more information, visit DT4EMS or watch an overview of the program here: EVE4HP Training Video.
