In addition to voicing their top concerns in working in the industry, survey respondents also say the right safety communications training — such as safety procedure trainings and digital safety plans — would help them feel more prepared for emergencies at work.

Some other key findings from the report include:

• The initial and persisting impact of COVID-19 continues to threaten healthcare workers’ mental health and propensity for job burnout (77%).
• As home healthcare services become more commonplace, 41% of respondents indicated they would worry more about their personal safety if they were to deliver care in a patient’s home versus in a traditional hospital/healthcare system setting.
• 40% of healthcare workers are concerned about the threat of an active assailant.
• 54% of respondents commented that personal safety is a top priority for them to continue working in the industry.
• Respondents expressed interest in panic button technology or another 911 alerting system (55%), safety procedure training (51%), customized texts and/or phone alerts (48%), easily accessible, digital safety plans (46%) and the availability of a safety app with resources, plans and emergency contacts (44%).

Healthcare employees also provided insights on their preferred communication methods for when safety issues do arise in facilities or in patients’ homes.

“Healthcare workers have been through a lot over the past few years. They’ve been on the frontlines of COVID-19, are experiencing high levels of job burnout and are exposed to today’s mental health issues on a frequent basis,” said Todd Piett, Vice President of Rave Mobile Safety at Motorola Solutions. “It is imperative that healthcare employees — arguably a hospital or health system’s best asset — feel safe in their roles so that they can perform at a high level and deliver the best possible care to patients.”