FBI releases new guidance to help health care organizations prevent targeted violence

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released two new resources designed to help health care organizations identify, assess and prevent targeted violence. Developed through an ongoing collaboration between the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and the American Hospital Association (AHA), the resources provide practical guidance for strengthening violence prevention efforts in health care environments.

Seventeen subject matter experts, including mental health professionals, researchers, medical professionals, and law enforcement representatives, contributed to the development of the materials. This effort marks the first time the FBI has worked with a health care organization to develop comprehensive guidance focused on behavioral threat assessment and management.

The guides include templates, models, and implementation references to support hospitals and health systems in establishing multidisciplinary behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM) teams through a proactive approach to identify and mitigate potential threats before they develop into acts of violence.

The resources outline training and education practices that equip health care personnel to recognize warning signs and respond appropriately, while promoting a culture of safety and resilience within health care settings. The materials further emphasize collaboration with local law enforcement and the FBI as part of a unified approach to violence prevention.

Read more at FBI