A patient at Health First Viera (Fla.) Hospital suffered a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound early Sunday morning, according to an email from Health First Vice President and COO Stuart Mitchell III to hospital employees obtained by Becker's Hospital Review.
The patient, whose name has not been released, arrived to Viera Hospital's intensive care unit by ambulance on Saturday evening, which allowed her to bypass the hospital's security screening process. The patient had a gun hidden in her belongings. Around 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, the patient shot herself. Hospital staff tried to revive the patient but failed, according to Mr. Mitchell's email to employees.
Due to the incident, Mr. Mitchell said the hospital is updating its security screening procedures for patients who arrive at the hospital by ambulance.
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