From Policy to Practice: Building Defensible Weapons Screening Programs in Healthcare

Healthcare leaders know workplace violence is a real and growing concern. Policies are in place, but turning them into something that works day in and day out is still a challenge. In fast-moving care environments, frontline teams often have to make safety calls in the moment, which can lead to uneven responses and uncertainty.

Developed in collaboration with the American Hospital Association, this guide looks at how health systems are closing that gap, moving beyond policy into clear, consistent day-to-day practice. It focuses on building a more structured approach to weapons screening, one that supports readiness and consistency without getting in the way of patient care.

Whether it’s the emergency department or the main entrance, there’s a constant balance: keeping people safe while still delivering care quickly and compassionately.

Inside this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why effective weapons screening is about aligning people, process, and oversight
• What makes healthcare screening different from other environments
• How staffing, training, and frontline decisions influence consistency
• How hospitals are rolling out screening programs in phases and improving over time
• What a patient-centered approach to safety really looks like in practice