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Emergency Department Violence Stories

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He attacked the officer

A mental health patient with a language barrier needed a mental health evaluation with police supervision. He attacked the officer and I had to help restrain the patient.

During the encounter, the police officer was forcefully headbutted and ended up with a laceration on his forehead.

- An emergency physician from Indiana 

I don't feel safe

I’ve seen an intoxicated patient chase a nurse down the hall and tackle her to the ground.

An incident pretty much every shift

It feels like there is an incident with somebody on pretty much every shift.

Happens so often, nothing is done

I have been punched by a patient.

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