WORKPLACE-RELATED HOMICIDE AMONG HEALTH-CARE WORKERS IN THE UNITED-STATES, 1980 THROUGH 1990

Objective.-To improve understanding of the epidemiology of fatal viole nce 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 syste m. Main Outcome Measures.-Overall occurrence of occupational injury de aths and occurrence of workplace-related homicides among HCWs. Results .-From 1980 through 1990, a total of 522 HCWs died from injuries susta ined while working. The most common causes of death were motor vehicle crashes (122 [23.4%1]), homicide (106 [20.3%]), and suicide (88 [16.9 %]). Firearms were used in the greatest number (78 [73.6%]) of workpla ce-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.