Huntsville Hospital Health System has cut workplace violence incidents by more than 28% over the past three years, part of a broader safety effort that has now earned its security team national recognition.
HH Health’s Safety, Security & Parking team has been named one of just eight finalists nationwide for the 2026 Outstanding Security Performance Awards’ Outstanding Security Team Award.
The recognition comes with numbers to back it up.
Over the past three years, HH Health said workplace violence incidents have fallen 28.3% across the system. Disorderly conduct among visitors has dropped 26% following the implementation of a visitor management system, while workplace violence in the Emergency Department has declined 46% following the launch of what HH Health says is Alabama’s first hospital-based Security K-9 program.
The health system has also trained more than 11,000 employees in de-escalation techniques designed to stop potentially dangerous situations before they escalate.
“Readiness doesn’t happen by accident,” said Brett Bramlett, director of Safety, Security & Parking for HH Health. “I’m incredibly proud of this team and the professionalism they bring to our hospitals every day. They never stop learning. They train constantly, embrace new technology and look for better ways to protect our patients, visitors and employees.”
The results are particularly significant in an industry where workplace violence remains a persistent concern. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figure cited by HH Health, 73% of serious workplace violence cases in private industry occur in healthcare and social assistance.
Huntsville Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Arin Zapf said protecting caregivers is directly connected to protecting patients.
“Safety isn’t separate from patient care. It’s part of patient care,” Zapf said. “Our Security team is an invaluable partner in helping prevent and de-escalate those situations so our caregivers can stay focused on providing compassionate, high-quality care.”
The Safety, Security & Parking team serves 10 HH Health hospitals and oversees workplace violence prevention, visitor management, fire safety, parking operations, fleet and courier services, security technology and emergency preparedness.
The department has also built a reputation within the healthcare security profession. HH Health is home to Alabama’s only International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety Program of Distinction and employs four of Alabama’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.
“Our mission is simple: keep everyone on our campuses as safe as possible,” Bramlett said. “We’re always looking for ways to improve. We want to be proactive, not reactive.”
The Outstanding Security Performance Awards recognize security programs across industries, putting HH Health in competition with security teams beyond healthcare, including corporate and higher education organizations.
Winners will be announced Sept. 13 at the OSPA Awards Ceremony during Global Security Exchange in Atlanta.
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