Attacks at US medical centers show why health care is one of the nation’s most violent fields

[phkrause]

Word spread through an Oregon hospital last month that a visitor was causing trouble in the maternity ward, and nurses were warned the man might try to abduct his partner’s newborn.

https://apnews.com/article/hospitals-workplace-violence-shootings-aa6918569ff8f76ff8a15b9813e31686?

Why this matters: While other industries outpace heath care for overall danger, including deaths, data shows American health care workers suffer more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than workers in any other profession.   Around 40 states have passed laws creating or increasing penalties for violence against health care workers, according to the American Nurses Association. Hospitals have armed security officers with batons, stun guns or handguns, while some states, including Indiana, Ohio and Georgia, allow hospitals to create their own police forces.

Related coverage ➤ Oregon hospital security guard dies after being shot in hospital; police later kill suspect Police: Tulsa gunman targeted surgeon he blamed for pain