A recent study has revealed that over 50% of healthcare workers in India feel unsafe at their workplaces, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the existing security measures in place at medical institutions. The findings underscore the urgent need for improvements in healthcare security across the country.
‘Workplace Safety and Security in Indian Healthcare Settings’: Key Findings
A cross-sectional survey titled “Workplace Safety and Security in Indian Healthcare Settings” was conducted by a team of experts from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC), Safdarjung Hospital, and AIIMS, New Delhi. The results, published in Epidemiology International, show significant gaps in security measures within Indian healthcare institutions. The research highlights that more than half (58.2%) of healthcare workers feel unsafe at work.
Key Contributors
- Lead Authors: Dr. Kartik Chadhar, Dr. Jugal Kishore (VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital)
- Co-authors: Dr. Richa Mishra, Dr. Semanti Das, Dr. Indra Shekhar Prasad, Dr. Prakalp Gupta (AIIMS, New Delhi)
Methodology and Participants
The survey involved 1,566 healthcare workers from various medical institutions across India. Participants included resident doctors, faculty members, nursing staff, and supporting personnel.
- Participants:
- 55.5% were female and 44.5% male.
- 49.6% were resident doctors, followed by 15.9% undergraduate medical students.
- 71.5% worked in government-run medical colleges, with most respondents from Delhi.
Alarming Statistics
- Security Perception: Over 58% of healthcare workers feel unsafe at work.
- Threats on Duty: 78.4% of workers have been threatened during duty.
- Lack of Proper Duty Rooms: Nearly half do not have access to adequate duty rooms, and the existing ones lack basic amenities like cleaning, pest control, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Visualizing the Data: Key Statistics from the Study
| Metric | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Healthcare workers feeling unsafe | 58.2% |
| Threatened while on duty | 78.4% |
| Witnessed workplace violence | 81.3% |
| Institutions lacking weapon screening | 90% |
| Lack of secure hospital boundaries | 75% |
| Dissatisfaction in state govt. institutions | 63% |
Security Gaps in High-Risk Areas
A key area of concern revealed by the survey is the lack of effective security in high-risk areas such as ICUs and psychiatric wards. Over 70% of respondents felt that security personnel were ineffective, and 62% believed that the emergency alarm systems were inadequate.
Specific Gaps Identified:
- Inadequate Surveillance: Half of the workers cited severe gaps in access control and surveillance, especially in critical areas.
- Lack of Weapon Screening: Over 90% of institutions did not have proper screening for weapons or dangerous objects.
- Hospital Boundaries: Nearly three-quarters of respondents reported a lack of secure hospital boundaries.
Public vs Private Healthcare Institutions: A Comparative Look
A major finding of the study was the disparity between state government institutions and private medical colleges in terms of safety and security measures. State government institutions had the highest dissatisfaction rates.
- State Government Institutions:
- 63% were dissatisfied with the number of security personnel.
- Dissatisfaction with access control, alarms, and security was more than three times higher than in private institutions.
- Central Government Institutions:
- Fared slightly better but still exhibited twice the likelihood of dissatisfaction compared to private institutions.
Violence and Emergency Response
An alarming 81.3% of healthcare workers reported witnessing violence at work, but only 44.1% felt that these incidents were handled properly. Additionally, 80% of respondents were unaware of whom to contact in case of an emergency, and over 70% lacked a clear and confidential process for reporting security concerns.
Recommendations for Improvement
The study offers a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at improving workplace safety in healthcare settings:
1. Strengthening Security in High-Risk Areas
- Increase the number of security personnel, especially in critical areas like ICUs and psychiatric wards.
2. Improving Duty Room Conditions
- Ensure proper cleaning, pest control, ventilation, and availability of air conditioning in duty rooms.
3. Establishing Clear Violence-Handling Protocols
- Implement clear procedures for handling incidents of violence, along with regular training for staff on how to address such situations.
4. Collaboration with National Agencies
- Advocate for collaboration with national agencies to implement legal frameworks that protect healthcare workers from violence and threats.
Conclusion: A Call for Action
The findings of this study highlight a critical need for immediate reforms in the security infrastructure of healthcare institutions in India. The safety of healthcare workers is paramount, not only for their own well-being but also for the patients they serve. Addressing these gaps in security will require collaboration between healthcare institutions, government bodies, and security agencies. Only through such coordinated efforts can the safety concerns of healthcare workers be adequately addressed.
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