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Security halts attack on nurse in St. John emergency department

Friday, May 30, 2008 7:01 PM PDT

By Leslie Slape

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A patient in the emergency department at St. John Medical Center is accused of attacking a nurse Sunday afternoon and attempting to rape her.

The attack occurred when the 23-year-old transient man was being questioned by two triage nurses after his friends brought him in for a mental evaluation, Detective Terry Reece said Thursday. The man was clad in a hospital gown and had been checked by a security officer for weapons, said hospital spokesman Randy Querin.

He allegedly grabbed a nurse hard by the shirt and shoulder, ripping her scrubs shirt and pulling her to the floor, Reece said.

“When she fell she hit her head and back on the door jamb. That’s when she started to scream,” Reece said.

Querin said hospital security officer Joel Reeder was close by and rushed to the nurse’s rescue.

“In less than 4 seconds from the time the patient stood up, he was in the grasp of a security officer,” Querin said. “We think it’s an unfortunate event but we’re really proud of the response that our security officer showed.”

Reece said when the man is released from hospital care, police will take custody of him on probable cause for second-degree attempted rape and third-degree assault, both felonies. Bail has been set at $100,000.

Reece said the rape allegation stems from the man’s comments before the assault plus his ripping of the nurse’s clothing.

Querin said the nurse is emotionally shaken, but physically unhurt.

He said assaults on emergency department personnel are a national problem.

“Statistics show one-third to three-fourths of emergency department staff members report they were assaulted, whether physically or verbally,” he said. “Even the low range, one-third, is an unacceptably high rate across the United States.”

Assault on a health-care provider is a felony.

In November 2006, a suicidal man with a gun entered the hospital and threatened to use the weapon on himself. A Longview police officer talked him into relinquishing the weapon.

In the aftermath of that incident, “we took a good look inward,” Querin said. The hospital asked an outside security consultant, Longview police and the hospital’s security staff to do a thorough analysis of the Emergency Department’s processes and procedures.

Security procedures in the ED have been enhanced as a result, he said.

“We put everybody who works there through an ongoing security training program,” he said. Other changes include a security task force and a monthly meeting with Longview police to see if security needs are being met.

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Ella Mentry wrote on May 29, 2008 11:58 PM:

" There is nothing you can do to prevent situations like this...only train staff in *response*. So glad they were able to stop this man before he seriously hurt the nurse. I have to say I'm not that shocked. I've been in the ED in the middle of the night on a weekend, and it's downright scary. Kudos to those who choose to provide care in this department. "

Tortoise wrote on May 30, 2008 6:33 AM:

" This is what they deal with in the ED all the time. Mr. Reeder did an awesome job. "

Im_not_saying wrote on May 30, 2008 8:22 AM:

" GOOD JOB JOEL! - As far as this guys punishment, I say lock him up and throw away the key. People like this scumbag should serve their time down in Maricopa County with Sherriff Joe. He'd make this guy pick up trash on the side of the road wearing a shirt that reads "Im a big man! I beat up on girls!" "

local_nurse wrote on May 30, 2008 11:31 AM:

" As an RN at St. John's, who doesn't work in the ED, I also want to say thank you to all of the members of our security dept.. who act quickly and respond to our many requests for help with out of control patients and families/visitors. Sometimes to the point that we are being threatened enough that someone has to be escorted out of the building.

It can be scary any time of the day or night caring for members of this community when someone gets out of control. It may not be drug or alcohol related, just bad tempers. Family members who can't get along, who are showing their grief in different ways, but when we are in a confined space with someone who is unable to defend for themselves; Your sick loved ones, we aren't going to leave.

So we call security, or a "Code 6" if even more help is needed.

THANKS AGAIN...!!!! "

dbr wrote on May 30, 2008 11:57 AM:

" It is obvious to me that this patient is mentally ill. We will spend literally thousands of dollars on this guy treating his mental illness in jail/prison instead of providing him with the care/medication that he so desperately needs. To me this seems crazy/counterproductive. Thank goodness no one was hurt. "

CRfisherman wrote on May 30, 2008 12:14 PM:

" You took him down Joel!!! Good work buddy!!! Let all that cross the threshold of St Johns know that Mr. Reeder is on the job and will open a can on them if they cross the line. Way to go!!! "

Tortoise wrote on May 30, 2008 1:49 PM:

" dbr: mentally ill or not, he assaulted and attempted to rape a health care provider. I don't care if he's mentally ill. He belongs in prison and I hope he rots there. "

Tortoise wrote on May 30, 2008 2:12 PM:

" dbr: I should further add, if this person were not sent to prison and was instead placed in a psychiatric ward in a privately owned facility (like St. John!) and was given 24/7 care and medication, who do you think will pay for it? Ultimately, the tax payer. "Free" health care isn't that hard to come by in Washington State. If the tax payers are picking up the bill anyway, I'd rather see this guy in prison. "

dbr wrote on May 30, 2008 4:08 PM:

" To tortoise: So, you are saying that because someone has a mental illness and their disease causes them to act out, that we should lock them up forever? I have worked in health care for over 35 years and have been bitten, hit, kicked and otherwise assaulted. Once I had a psychiatric patient throw an oxygen tank at me. I have never known any of these patients to be "charged" with crimes. The underlying disease needs to be treated. Without treatment, this guy is not even safe in a regular prison, he needs to be in a prison for the criminally insane. I hope no one in your family ever suffers from mental illness. "

jjustice60 wrote on May 30, 2008 4:14 PM:

" Great job! I work in Law Enforcement and have worked with the security officers at St Johns...they are amazing. They put themselves in danger on a daily basis and often aren't thanked enough for doing so. I don't know too many people who would walk unarmed into a room with a 300 pound psychotic patient and take control of the situation when they know they could be severly hurt in the process! It is past time to get these amazing officers more training and some defensive tools to do their job safely!
Once again good job Joel and the rest of the security team! "

Rosey Glasses wrote on May 30, 2008 6:05 PM:

" It is hard to determine what some people will do, thankfully Joel Reeder was paying attention and acted quickly to stop a bad situation. Way to go and keep up the good work. "

gottaluvme884 wrote on May 30, 2008 8:10 PM:

" As a staff member in the Emergency Department I just want to say how greatful I am that the RN in this situation was able to walk away. Who knows what the long term effects will be and my prays and thoughts are with her. All staff on at the time acted bravely and quick on there feet thank you to Joel and the tech on staff that with their quick thinking were able to remove the RN from the situation. "

lola*in*longview wrote on May 30, 2008 10:20 PM:

" Tortoise who is going to pay for the lifetime in prison, Oh thats right, THE TAXPAYERS. "

Tortoise wrote on May 31, 2008 1:10 AM:

" dbr: if you have been assaulted by a patient and you chose not to report the crime, then that is your prerogative. And this man needs to go to jail, period. He committed a very serious crime, mentally ill or not, and now it's time to suffer the consequences.

lola: yes, the taxpayers will pick up the bill for him in prison. I am fully aware of that and actually said that in my previous post. However, you can pretty well guarantee the taxpayer will also be paying for his little stay at St. John, and if I'm paying for it, I'd rather he be in prison than on the 7th floor. "

jjustice60 wrote on May 31, 2008 9:10 PM:

" dbr...you have been bitten, kicked and hit and never pressed charges? Why? Do you think being assaulted is really part of the job? Also this guy attempted to rape a nurse, if this guy was still on the street he may have raped someone. I think this guy needs to be treated like a criminal, too many criminals try to plead that they are mentally ill when they are not. If you do the crime, pay the time! "

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