Workplace-Related Homicide Among Health Care Workers in the United States, 1980 Through 1990

OBJECTIVE: To improve understanding of the epidemiology of fatal violence directed toward physicians and other health care workers (HCWs) in health care settings. DESIGN: Analyses of data for 1980 through 1990 from the National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities surveillance system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall occurrence of occupational injury deaths and occurrence of workplace-related homicides among HCWs. RESULTS: From 1980 through 1990, a total of 522 HCWs died from injuries sustained while working. The most common causes of death were motor vehicle crashes (122 [23.4%]), homicide (106 [20.3%]), and suicide (88 [16.9%]). Firearms were used in the greatest number (78 [73.6%]) of workplace-related homicides among HCWs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for strengthened surveillance and more accurate estimates of the risks of workplace-related violent injury for HCWs in the United States.