UPMC shootout emphasizes dangers for the healthcare workers

Rob Burchianti | Herald standard

Brownsvilles Melanie Shumar is preparing when Brenna Benke (21) from Waynesburg Central will be defended in Brownsville during the game on Friday evening. The Lady Raiders defeated the Lady Falcons with 50-16.

A man who took the employee in the intensive care unit at the UPMC Memorial Hospital in York County last weekend, killed a police officer and injured five before dying at a shootout with the police, was the latest incident to against violence To increase US health professions.

Violence at the workplace in the healthcare industry has increased significantly in recent years in recent years. Studies show that hospitals on site and all over the country check their security measures after the shootout on Saturday.

UPMC President and CEO Leslie Davis in a public message to the employees said that the hospital was “deeply grateful for the bravery of our employees, first aiders, EMS partners and everyone who dealt with courage and support” and mourn the loss of the fallen Districts in West York Borough, Andrew Duarte, 30, his family and colleagues as well as the injured UPMC commemoration.

“Our UPMC police and security remain on site with improved presence. In all UPMC hospitals, our armed police officers are devoted to protect us, ”wrote Davis. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to the security and well -being of everyone in our facilities.”

The UPMC facilities include UPMC Washington and Upmc Greene Hospitals.

According to a report by the District Prosecutor of York, the shooter intentionally aimed at the hospital after having been in contact with the intensive care unit last week in relation to medical treatment of an unidentified person.

Rick Pollack, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association, made an explanation after the shootout.

“We deeply mourn the tragic loss of life in (Saturday) Horific Hospital Shooting at UPMC. Our hearts go to the victims, their families and the entire UPMC community. Hospitals are sanctuaries of healing, in which committed nurses, doctors and other team members work tirelessly on the care of the patients. We cannot allow these types of violent actions to remain, ”he wrote. “As a nation, we have to combine and take decisive measures to end this relentless cycle of violence.”

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), violence against workers in healthcare occurs at a speed that is four times higher than the national average in other industries, which means that employees in the healthcare system significantly more compared to other professions Have violence at the workplace.

The American Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employees of health and social welfare measures in 2021 and 2022 have suffered almost three quarters of non-fatal attacks on the workers in the private sector in order to achieve a speed of more than five times the national average.

In addition to the use of metal detectors, more hospitals examine visitors to threats to hospital entrances, including emergency departments.

Jennifer S. Mensik, President of the American Nurse Association Violence at work.

“It is a growing public health crisis that requires urgent attention,” said Mensik, who said that the problem deteriorated during the Covid 19 pandemy, “an already tense healthcare system.”

Bill Toland, director of public relations at Allegheny Health Network/Highmark Health, said that the hospital system is constantly evaluating and adapting its security and security procedures in all hospitals.

All Ahnic Hospitals have metal detectors and a committed police that serves the hospitals.

“The security of our employees, our patients and their families has our top priority,” said Toland.

Toland said Highmark Health and Ahn had launched his internal police about seven years ago, and since then the health system has made “considerable security and work-up investments” and expanded its presence on the police on the campus.

Toland emphasized that the comprehensive security and security strategy of the health system has not been completed and did not respond to a security incident.

Davis from Upmc said that the shootout “underlines the urgent need for larger security measures in hospitals.

“We have to make sure that those who dedicate their lives to maintain others are not susceptible to violence,” Davis wrote to the employees. “No health worker should ever fear that his job could become a crime scene. No family should ever face the heartache of losing a loved one who has gone to a shift and never came home. “