Patient safety is deeply intertwined with the overall security and well-being of healthcare environments. Incidents of violence within medical facilities not only endanger healthcare workers but also compromise patient care, leading to increased medical errors, reduced patient satisfaction, and adverse outcomes. A recent survey found that 40% of healthcare workers experienced a violent incident in the last two years, highlighting the pervasive nature of this issue.

Addressing this challenge requires comprehensive training solutions that prepare healthcare professionals to manage and mitigate violent situations effectively. MILO’s healthcare-specific scenario-based simulation training offers a proactive approach to enhancing patient safety by equipping medical staff, supporting teams, and volunteers with the skills necessary to handle escalating incidents within healthcare settings.

 

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Real-World Response

Healthcare professionals undergo extensive training to save lives, but patient safety extends beyond diagnosis and treatment. Factors such as workplace violence, communication breakdowns, and emergency response protocols are equally critical to health outcomes. A tense or escalating situation—whether involving a patient, visitor, or even an unrelated guest—can disrupt care, leading to delays in treatment, medical errors, or even direct harm to both patients and staff. Addressing these risks through proactive training and preparedness is essential to maintaining a safe and effective healthcare environment.

MILO’s patient safety scenario-based training equips hospital security teams, clinical and facility staff, volunteers, and emergency responders with the skills to recognize and de-escalate high-risk situations before they impact patient safety. By immersing participants in realistic, high-pressure scenarios, they can build confidence in critical thinking, rapid decision-making, and coordinated response strategies—all while practicing how to remain calm under stress in a safe and controlled environment. This hands-on approach ensures that healthcare teams are prepared for the unexpected, fostering a safer and more secure setting for both patients and providers.

 

Strengthening Hospital Security and Workplace Safety

Workplace violence in healthcare settings has been on the rise, putting both staff and patients at risk. A 2024 nationwide survey by National Nurses United found that in 2023, 81.6% of nurses experienced at least one type of workplace violence incident, and nearly half reported an increase in violent incidents. These escalations not only endanger healthcare workers but also disrupt patient care, leading to delays in treatment, compromised medical decisions, and heightened safety risks within healthcare facilities.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) classifies workplace violence into four categories, all of which can impact patient safety:

Type I: Criminal Intent – The perpetrator has no relationship with the healthcare facility or its employees, often committing crimes such as theft or vandalism.

Type II: Patient or Client-Related Violence – The individual has a direct relationship with the healthcare provider or setting and becomes violent while receiving care.

Type III: Worker-on-Worker Violence – This involves conflicts between employees, including physical or verbal altercations.

Type IV: Domestic-Related Violence – The aggressor has a personal relationship with an employee and brings the threat into the workplace.

De-escalation training for healthcare settings must prioritize physical safety while also reinforcing psychological safety and overall wellness in the face of any threat. MILO’s targeted scenario-based training addresses all four categories of workplace violence enabling healthcare institutions to proactively prevent and manage high-risk situations before they escalate—helping hospital security teams, frontline staff, and emergency responders prepare for real-world incidents.

“We do not develop training in a vacuum,” explained Brian Uridge, Senior Director of Michigan Medicine Safety and Security at the University of Michigan. “We work with nurse educators to design, develop, and deliver training together as a unit. And we use MILO in virtually every one of those trainings.”

 

 

Customizable, Data-Driven Training for Healthcare Institutions

MILO’s proprietary Course Designer software empowers hospitals and healthcare organizations to quickly create fully customized, interactive training scenarios tailored to their specific safety challenges. Whether preparing for property disruptions, patient and guest-related crises, workplace violence, or large-scale emergency responses, MILO’s flexible and scalable platform ensures that training remains relevant, effective, and adaptable to the unique needs of each medical facility or health campus. With the ability to develop and modify scenarios in minutes, healthcare teams can continuously refine their preparedness strategies, ensuring staff remain ready to respond to evolving threats without disrupting daily operations.

Additionally, MILO customers receive free content updates for the life of their system, ensuring that training remains aligned with evolving best practices, compliance standards, and emerging healthcare threats. Backed by 24/7 technical assistance, on-site Train-the-Trainer programs, and a full system warranty, MILO delivers long-term, sustainable training solutions that support a 360-degree approach to patient safety. By integrating seamlessly into onboarding and ongoing professional development, MILO’s training ensures consistency across staff turnover and fosters a culture of preparedness that enhances safety at every level of healthcare operations.

 

A Commitment to Safer Healthcare Environments

As Patient Safety Awareness Week highlights the importance of proactive training and preparedness, healthcare institutions must prioritize realistic, high-quality training that ensures both staff and patients are protected in every situation. By integrating MILO’s advanced scenario-based training, hospitals and healthcare facilities demonstrate their commitment to safety, readiness, and excellence in patient care.

Invest in the future of patient safety—train smarter, prepare better, and protect lives with MILO.