Here’s a roundup of some of the workplace violence incidents that have happened at U.S. hospitals this month.
In Oregon, an agitated man pointed a gun at a Salem Hospital security officer on August 11, reports the Salem Reporter. The incident started when the hospital’s weapons screening equipment at the entrance of the emergency department alerted on James Allen Swerfeger, 35. He was asked to undergo a more thorough weapons check, and Swerfeger became agitated and left. He later returned in his vehicle, and when he was asked to leave campus, he pointed a firearm at a security officer.
Swerfeger was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, assaulting a public safety officer, and felony possession of a firearm.
In Nashville, Tennessee, Dakota Johnson, 30, (no relation to the actress) was arrested on August 25 after an altercation with a security officer at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, reports Scoop Nashville. The workplace violence incident began when Johnson became disruptive. He had requested mental health assistance but was not satisfied with the treatment.
Johnson then threatened to take the lives of hospital employees, which prompted staff members to call security. As a security officer was escorting him out of the hospital, he elbowed the officer.
Johnson faces assault and disorderly conduct charges.
In Mechanicsville, Va., Palul Leo Herbert, 33, was arrested August 24 for damaging a vehicle in the parking lot of MedStart St. Mary’s Hospital, reports SMNewsNet. He was charged with malicious destruction of property.
Michigan Hospital’s Security K-9 Program Helps with Workplace Violence Incident De-escalation
There has been some positive development in the hospital security space in August, however. In Grand Rapids, Mich., officials at Trinity Health Grand Rapids say the hospital’s security K-9 program has been very effective at responding to incidents, reports WWMT.
The hospital’s security team introduced K-9s two years ago to help address workplace violence, which was especially challenging around the emergency department entrance. Since the program’s inception, the dogs have responded to approximately 400 situations and have successfully de-escalated more than 75% of the incidents they’ve encountered.
Related Article: Specialized Therapy K-9 Helps UC Davis PD Respond to Mental Health Crises on Campus
At least one K-9 — paired with a security officer — is onsite at the hospital at all times. The dogs are trained in de-escalation and bomb detection.
