WellSpan Health Reports 66% Reduction in Workplace Violence Following Systemwide Safety Initiative with Canopy
PALO ALTO, CA. May 21 – Canopy, a connected safety platform for hospitals and health systems focused on protecting nurses and staff, announced a new case study today with Pennsylvania health system WellSpan Health, showing measurable shifts after rolling out a systemwide workplace violence prevention strategy supported by Canopy’s technology.
According to the joint case study, WellSpan Health saw a 66% reduction in workplace violence-related DART (Days Away, Restricted or Transferred) injuries within a year of implementation. The initiative centralized public safety operations and emergency response protocols into a unified system, supported by wearable and RTLS technology that allows staff to quickly signal for help during escalating situations.
“One of WellSpan’s organizational goals is zero harm, not just in workplace violence but across all injuries,” said Bill White, Vice President of Public Safety at WellSpan Health. “We have an obligation to provide a safe environment for anyone who enters our facilities,” White noted that before Canopy, alerts were often delayed, and staff didn’t have a dependable way to quickly signal for help. “That’s changed with Canopy,” he said. “Our team members now have immediate access to support at the push of a button, which helps us respond faster and makes them feel more supported in real time.”
WellSpan identified several operational gaps across its growing network of hospitals and care sites before launching the initiative. Emergency alerts varied by location, and staff often had to locate a phone or secondary device before requesting security support, which slowed response during critical moments. After implementing Canopy, WellSpan rolled out instant notifications, integrated the DASA (Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression) framework, and enhanced data validation tools to improve response times and increase staff visibility during incidents.
Workplace violence in hospitals continues to be one of healthcare’s fastest-growing operational and workforce challenges. The WellSpan and Canopy report was released during National Nurses Month, highlighting this ongoing, yet underrecognized issue throughout U.S. health systems. WellSpan leaders noted that the initiative was designed to reduce physical incidents while also shifting the organization toward a more proactive safety model across departments and campuses.
“Healthcare organizations everywhere are looking for better ways to support and protect frontline staff,” said Shan Sinha, CEO of Canopy Works. “The kind of impact Canopy and WellSpan have achieved together is exactly what Canopy strives for: creating environments where staff can get help quickly, feel supported in high-stress situations, and focus on delivering care safely. We’re proud to partner with WellSpan in building a stronger culture of safety for healthcare workers every day.”
Healthcare workforce safety has become an increasingly important area of focus nationally as organizations seek new approaches to meet evolving expectations around workforce well-being and retention in clinical environments. Industry analysts and healthcare leaders have pointed to workplace safety as a key component of long-term workforce sustainability.
Canopy is creating a standardized process for emergency response and safety across its expanding network. With WellSpan as a strong example of success, Canopy continues to support healthcare organizations in building safer environments for nurses, staff, patients, and visitors.