Huntsville Hospital Health System Reports Sharp Drop in Workplace Violence as Security Team Earns National Nod

Huntsville Hospital Health System says it has reduced workplace violence incidents by more than 28% over the past three years, and the results have helped its security staff earn a place among the country's top finalists for a national award.

HH Health's Safety, Security & Parking team is one of eight finalists nationwide for the Outstanding Security Team Award in the 2026 Outstanding Security Performance Awards. The program covers security operations across many industries, so HH Health is competing against corporate and higher education teams as well as other healthcare organizations.

According to the health system, workplace violence incidents have dropped 28.3% across its operations during the three-year period. Disorderly conduct among visitors fell 26% after a visitor management system was introduced. In the Emergency Department, workplace violence declined 46% after the launch of what HH Health describes as the first hospital-based Security K-9 program in Alabama.

The system has also trained more than 11,000 employees in de-escalation techniques intended to defuse potentially dangerous situations before they worsen.

Brett Bramlett, director of Safety, Security & Parking for HH Health, credited the staff's preparation. "Readiness doesn't happen by accident," he said, adding that team members "train constantly, embrace new technology and look for better ways to protect our patients, visitors and employees." He described the department's goal as being "proactive, not reactive."

The figures carry weight given the scale of the problem in the industry. HH Health cited U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that 73% of serious workplace violence cases in private industry occur in healthcare and social assistance.

Arin Zapf, chief nursing officer at Huntsville Hospital, said security is closely tied to clinical care. "Safety isn't separate from patient care. It's part of patient care," she said, noting that the security team helps prevent and de-escalate incidents so caregivers can concentrate on delivering compassionate, high-quality care.

The Safety, Security & Parking department serves 10 HH Health hospitals. Its responsibilities include workplace violence prevention, visitor management, fire safety, parking operations, fleet and courier services, security technology and emergency preparedness.

HH Health is home to Alabama's only International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety Program of Distinction and employs four of the state's five Certified Healthcare Protection Administrators. For the past 20 years, every HH Health security officer has also been required to earn Certified Healthcare Security Officer certification before receiving an independent assignment.

Winners of the awards will be announced Sept. 13 at the OSPA Awards Ceremony during Global Security Exchange in Atlanta.