ACEP ID:

Emergency Department Violence Stories

Table of Contents

Attacking staff while boarding

A patient who was quite ill had been boarding in our ED for over a month. While waiting for the mental health care she needed, she attacked multiple staff members.

- An emergency physician from New Hampshire

A nearly endless barrage of abuse

A nurse was bitten recently in our department.

Patients throw printers

In one instance, a patient punched the paramedic trying to care for them.

Intimidate me while waiting

Mentally ill patients occasionally threaten to kill me.

[ Feedback → ]