LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. – A horrifying attack on a nurse at Palms West Hospital has sparked concerns within a national nursing advocacy group about the safety and protection of nurses in the workplace. The attack occurred on the hospital’s third floor, where a patient named Stephen Scantlebury reportedly launched a vicious assault on the nurse, causing severe injuries to the victim’s face. Dr. Ruth Francis, a senior policy advisor for the American Nurses Association, expressed deep sadness over the incident, emphasizing the importance of implementing proper safety measures to protect nurses.
Francis highlighted the prevalent issue of workplace violence faced by nurses, with many experiencing some form of assault during their careers. She emphasized the need for facilities to have strong protocols in place to ensure the safety of nurses while carrying out their duties. The specifics of Palms West Hospital’s policies on nursing safety remain unclear, as the hospital declined to comment on the incident involving Scantlebury, citing privacy concerns.
According to the police report, Scantlebury was at the hospital under a Baker Act, which raised questions about the impact of such cases on the security and well-being of nurses. While the hospital does not typically receive Baker Act patients, a mental health assessment is conducted when behavioral concerns arise in other medical patients to determine if they qualify for a Baker Act. Despite the challenges posed by dealing with patients with mental health issues, nurses are still tasked with providing care in such situations.
In response to the incident, the ANA has been actively advocating for stronger protections for nurses, including lobbying for legislation to increase penalties for assaulting healthcare workers. However, these efforts have faced challenges in achieving broader legal reforms. In Florida, assaulting a nurse was recently classified as a first-degree misdemeanor under a 2023 law. Scantlebury, the assailant in this case, now faces charges of attempted murder and is being held at Palm Beach County Jail without bond. The ANA has also launched a workplace violence website to provide resources for nurses facing similar risks in their work environment.