Effect of a Secure Messaging System on Workplace Violence at Sinai Chicago

Workplace violence in healthcare settings is a well-recognized hazard that includes verbal abuse, threats, and physical assaults. This affects both employees and the quality of care provided. Exposure to workplace violence can lead to employee stress, burnout, and resignation. Quality of care suffers due to providers avoiding violent patients, increased use of security, increased utilization of restraints, and stress to adjacent patients witnessing violence. Healthcare providers working in emergency departments, critical care units, psychiatric units, and trauma centers are particularly vulnerable to violence. This violence is not only from patients, but also from their families. This study evaluates the effect of implementing the Tiger Connect secure messaging system on workplace violence incidents reported by the security department at the Sinai Chicago health system. Data was collected from the security department at the Sinai Chicago health system between March 1st and October 31st, 2024. A paired t-test showed a statistically significant decrease in workplace violence incidents (p-value = 0.027), with a 42.4% reduction in the number of incidents from 356 to 205 (95% CI: 8.11-67.35). This implies that the chance of this reduction happening due to chance alone is less than 5%. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to quantitatively assess the impact of a secure messaging system on workplace violence in healthcare. This article is unique in that it analyzes the quantitative effect of a secure messaging system on the incidence of workplace violence in healthcare. Secure messaging can facilitate rapid and effective communication. This can result in faster response times, improved coordination, and earlier intervention in violent situations. This study highlights the potential of secure messaging systems to promote a safer and more supportive work environment. Further research can delve into qualitative variables in workplace violence incidents, interventions besides a secure messaging system, and the effects of a secure messaging system on other institutions on workplace violence.