Framework for Standardized Data Collection of Workplace Violence Incidents in Healthcare

Workplace violence in healthcare settings continues to be a growing concern, posing significant impacts to the safety and well-being of healthcare workers, patients, and families. As part of ongoing efforts around healthcare workforce violence prevention, the IHI Leadership Alliance convened safety leaders and experts from across the healthcare industry to create a framework for standardized data collection of workforce violence incidents, enabling healthcare leaders to better understand the impact of their efforts to prevent such incidents and learn from one another across the industry.

This publication presents a recommended framework for standardized data collection of workplace violence incidents in healthcare, including critical data elements needed to effectively analyze incidents. The framework offers organizations a valuable tool to enhance their ability to predict, prevent, and analyze workforce violence incidents within their own healthcare settings. Additionally, the use of a more standardized workforce violence data collection structure across the healthcare industry will enable organizations to collaborate more effectively and facilitate data-driven approaches to keeping the workforce safe from harm. 

These initial recommendations, informed by expert panel and industry partner input, lay the foundation for future efforts to test, refine, and expand the framework for broader industry implementation.

How to Cite This Document: Boord J, Weckman A, Martinez N. Framework for Standardized Data Collection of Workplace Violence Incidents in Healthcare. Boston: Institute for Healthcare Improvement; 2025. (Available at ihi.org)