2 Responses to “Workplace Violence in the ED: In Search of Lasting Solutions”

1. 

   March 8, 2026

   Thomas Reply

   It is the responsiility of the hospital to provide a safe working environment for the professional staff. Hopsital CEO’s have records on the number of assaults monthly, which of those assaults end in surgery, and how many staff members quit due to that environment. Hospitals establish rules that result in termination action for staff in self-defense. Hospital leaderhip decides the limits on security intervention and under what circumstance security can go hands on. Hospital administration produces the “duck and cover” response to aremed violence. Yes, PD is responsible for the “tag you’re it” response to dumping unattended violence in the ER, but hospitals can say “No” to unattended “detained, but not arreted” patients. How does the rest of society hold people accountable?

2. 

   March 9, 2026

   Stephen Reply

   Interesting that you didn’t address the violence in the ED precipitated by other specialists ( neurosurgeons, gynecologists, etc) coming into the ED and threatening the ED physician verbally and physically if you don’t do or say what they tell you. And administration never backs or protects the ED physician because it’s easier for administrators to ask for your resignation or tell your”contract employer” to fire you. The latter happened to me in the late 1970’s and was done to me by a “fellow emergency physician” and fellow ACEP member who later became an ACEP national president.