In today's world violence can be expected anywhere and at any time. This includes what was once considered a low-risk area, the healthcare facility. Today the incidence of violence is increasing. There are two types of violence: the first is lateral violence or aggression between hospital or medical staff. The other are external factors consisting of patients or visitors who establish violence or aggression between themselves or against healthcare workers. In my facility this is known as code gray and all male staff not currently caring for patients should respond. In this article the discussion will be on lateral violence as this form of violence has shown a rapid increase in incidence. As mentioned, we have plans to address violence created by non-staff members. However, we have no action plan for violence or aggression among staff members other than to respond after the fact. This would usually consist of suspension, warning, notification to the treatment board, or even dismissal. What is needed is a plan to prevent the growing number of events from happening. To alleviate this problem it is necessary to involve the executive management, the organization as a whole along with the independent nursing units as they “must have a zero tolerance policy towards violence, bullying, etc. There must also be a policy that protects nurses from retaliation if they report violent or aggressive behavior” (Lateral Violence: Nurse Against Nurse 2011, p. 5). There also needs to be a place where employees can seek help to work on their anger, frustration and stress levels, such as an employee assistance program. “Important goals should be to involve the organization's most senior management i...... halfway through ...... that the pressures of work or life are getting the better of them. The facility should sponsor educational opportunities that teach people to recognize when situations show the potential to turn violent and how to deal with those situations. Staff should also be held accountable for their actions and accept repercussions as they are inflicted on them. Management should also be held accountable for their staff and not make excuses for them. Excuses like having problems at home or having a bad day. Works Cited by the Arizona State Legislature. (2011). 12-1810. Injunction against harassment at work; definitions (Information sheet). Excerpt from Arizona Revised Statutes - Arizona State Legislature: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/12/01810.htmLateral Violence: Nurse on Nurse. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/mods/mod440/article.pdf