Ballad Health advances planned safety initiatives, including weapons detection beginning Nov. 11

Amid a surge in violence against healthcare workers nationally, Ballad Health announced today additional steps it is taking to protect its workforce.

A 2025-26 national survey of registered nurses, as reported by Security Magazine, found that nearly 85% of respondents experienced at least one workplace violence incident in the previous year, with more than 36% reporting increased violence on their unit. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare and social assistance workers accounted for 72.8% of nonfatal workplace violence incidents across private industry in 2021 and 2022. From 2011 to 2022, hospitals saw violence against healthcare workers nearly triple.

Ballad Health has seen similar trends, with 1,541 recorded workplace violence incidents in 2025 alone – an increase of nearly 19% over the previous year. At just three hospitals — Bristol Regional Medical Center, Holston Valley Medical Center and Johnson City Medical Center — 12 random bag checks identified 318 weapons, including 65 guns and 218 knives.

Recently, a patient at Holston Valley Medical Center fired a gun inside the hospital before entering a hallway with the weapon, putting healthcare workers and other patients at risk. Team members acted quickly to protect those nearby as hospital security and the Kingsport Police Department responded. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident illustrates a growing nationwide crisis: Healthcare workers increasingly face violence and threats while caring for patients and communities.

“Every day, our team members come to work to care for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” said Ballad Health Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton. “Team members want to focus on the needs of the patients they care for but find themselves also having to be concerned with their own safety. This is unacceptable.”

Ballad Health advancing systemwide safety initiatives

Amid growing concerns about workplace violence, Ballad Health has been preparing a series of safety enhancements across its hospitals. As part of these previously planned efforts, new weapons detection systems will be activated at all Ballad Health hospitals beginning Nov. 11.

Installed at designated entrances to inpatient facilities, the systems are designed to detect guns and knives before they enter patient care areas. Visitors entering through equipped entrances will be directed through screening.

In many cases, visitors can pass through without emptying their pockets or removing personal belongings. If an item of concern is detected, security personnel may conduct additional screening. Visitors should follow instructions from security personnel and leave weapons and other prohibited items at home.

Weapons detection is one component of Ballad Health's broader "Call Early. Call Often." safety initiative, which includes:

• Enhanced training: "Handle with Care" education to help team members de-escalate difficult situations, along with workplace violence and active threat response training.
• Epic safety alerts: New electronic health record features allowing staff to flag prior harmful or aggressive patient behavior, improving awareness and preparedness.
• Clearer expectations: New signage reinforcing respectful behavior and zero tolerance for violence, threats and aggression.
• Additional security measures: Evaluation of visitor identification processes and expanded security resources, including trained canines at additional locations.
• Stronger reporting and advocacy: Updated workplace safety policies to remove barriers to reporting, along with advocacy for stronger protections for healthcare workers in Tennessee and Virginia.

“Our security teams are trained and ready to respond, but preventing violence requires everyone to remain alert and communicate concerns early,” said Ballad Health Chief Security Officer Ken Harr. “If something doesn't feel right, don't wait for a situation to escalate. Call early. Call often. Those actions can help protect our team members, patients and visitors."

Ballad Health encourages patients, visitors and team members to immediately report threatening behavior, suspicious activity or other safety concerns to hospital security.

Hospital security contact numbers:

• Bristol Regional Medical Center: 423-387-1799
• Dickenson Community Hospital: 276-291-1176
• Franklin Woods Community Hospital: 423-737-1131
• Greeneville Community Hospital: 423-552-9565
• Hancock County Hospital: 423-759-2336
• Hawkins County Memorial Hospital: 423-923-6600
• Holston Valley Medical Center: 423-429-2337
• Indian Path Community Hospital: 423-429-2551
• Johnson City Medical Center: 423-741-4886
• Johnson County Community Hospital: 423-291-5455
• Johnston Memorial Hospital: 276-279-2420
• Lee County Community Hospital: 276-548-8866
• Lonesome Pine Hospital: 276-301-1966
• Norton Community Hospital: 276-301-1959
• Russell County Hospital: 276-794-2811
• Smyth County Community Hospital: 276-243-9555
• Sycamore Shoals Hospital: 423-576-5707
• Woodridge Hospital: 423-737-1169

Learn more about Ballad Health’s ongoing safety efforts.