NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members from Alan Levine, Ballad Health CEO and chairman, on Nov. 10.
Dear Colleague,
Amid a surge in violence against healthcare workers nationally, Ballad Health announced today additional steps it is taking to protect its workforce.
A 2025-26 national survey of registered nurses, as reported by Security Magazine, found that nearly 85% of respondents experienced at least one workplace violence incident in the previous year, with more than 36% reporting increased violence on their unit. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare and social assistance workers accounted for 72.8% of nonfatal workplace violence incidents across private industry in 2021 and 2022. Over the 10-year period from 2011-2022, hospitals have seen violence against workers increase by nearly triple.
Ballad Health has seen similar trends, with 1,541 recorded workplace violence incidents in 2025 alone – an increase of nearly 19% over the previous year – including approximately 580 assaults. At just three hospitals – Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center – 12 random bag checks identified 318 weapons, including 65 guns and 218 knives.
Some incidents have been severe. Sadly, team members have been pinned to the floor, struck in the face, bitten on the back of the head and punched in the face. Recently, a patient at Holston Valley Medical Center fired a gun inside the hospital before entering a hallway with the weapon, putting healthcare workers and other patients at risk. Team members acted quickly to protect those nearby as hospital security and the Kingsport Police Department responded. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident illustrates a growing nationwide crisis: Healthcare workers increasingly face violence and threats while caring for patients and communities. This is unacceptable.
These stories and figures underscore the seriousness of this nationwide crisis and why we are taking meaningful steps to strengthen safety across our system. Our team members, patients and visitors deserve to feel safe, supported and respected.
Early, frequent communication is critical to safety, as is monitoring who and what enters our facilities. Throughout October, our security teams installed and tested weapons detection systems across Ballad Health, which will be activated Wednesday, Nov. 11, alongside Epic updates.
Designed to detect guns and knives, the systems are part of the broader “Call Early. Call Often.” systemwide safety initiative that also includes enhanced team member training, new signage reinforcing expectations for respectful behavior and upgrades to the Epic electronic health record system to help staff identify potential safety risks, communicate concerns and respond quickly to threatening situations. Epic’s Violence Assessment Tool will be completed by nursing for all patients presenting to the emergency department and admitted to inpatient care in our acute care facilities. The Violence Assessment Tool will identify those patients with a risk for violence and automatically apply this flag in the patient’s electronic health record. Patients with documented incidents of violence may also have an informative “History of Violence” flag applied after review of the specific incident.
We have also updated our workplace safety policy, removing the requirement for drug or alcohol testing for team members involved in workplace violence reports to eliminate a barrier to reporting.
These steps are the first in a series of initiatives to make our facilities safer. All new team members will receive “Handle with Care” education as part of orientation, and current team members will receive training annually to promote safer interactions. The training will give team members tools to identify strategies to help address escalating aggressive behavior. Our security team also offers workplace violence and active threat response training, and all of our departments are encouraged to participate.
We’re working to introduce visitor identification processes to better identify potential threats and evaluating expanded security resources, including trained canines, at additional locations. We are also advocating for stronger safety and security laws in Tennessee and Virginia.
We also recognize that safety extends beyond physical protections to include emotional and mental well-being. Healthcare is demanding work, and no one should feel they must carry those stresses alone. Ballad Health offers confidential support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other mental health resources, and we encourage any team member who needs support to take advantage of them. Please visit the Ballad Health intranet to learn more.
Building a safe workplace also requires a shared commitment. Our Daily Safety Huddles give team members opportunities to raise safety concerns directly with leaders, so issues can be addressed. Speaking up, looking out for one another and raising concerns early are essential to strengthening safety across our system.
We remain committed to providing the resources, tools and leadership necessary to protect team members, and we are grateful for the way you look out for one another every day.
To learn more about Ballad Health’s ongoing safety efforts, visit www.balladhealth.org/weapons-screening.
Thank you for the care you provide to our patients and communities and for everything you do to make Ballad Health a safe place to work and to receive care.
God Bless,
Alan
Hospital-based security at Ballad Health can be reached by phone:
- Bristol Regional Medical Center: 423-387-1799
- Dickenson Community Hospital: 276-291-1176
- Franklin Woods Community Hospital: 423-737-1131
- Greeneville Community Hospital: 423-552-9565
- Hancock County Hospital: 423-759-2336
- Hawkins County Memorial Hospital: 423-923-6600
- Holston Valley Medical Center: 423-429-2337
- Indian Path Community Hospital: 423-429-2551
- Johnson City Medical Center: 423-741-4886
- Johnson County Community Hospital: 423-291-5455
- Johnston Memorial Hospital: 276-279-2420
- Lee County Community Hospital: 276-548-8866
- Lonesome Pine Hospital: 276-301-1966
- Norton Community Hospital: 276-301-1959
- Russell County Hospital: 276-794-2811
- Smyth County Community Hospital: 276-243-9555
- Sycamore Shoals Hospital: 423-576-5707
- Woodridge Hospital: 423-737-1169
