Amid rising violence against healthcare workers — and after a nurse of its own was attacked — Rhode Island Hospital in Providence has launched a campaign to promote safety.
Scott Amaral, BSN, RN, a nurse at Rhode Island Hospital, was critically injured in a Sept. 8 attack by a patient in the psychiatric unit. According to CBS affiliate WPRI, the patient pushed Mr. Amaral into a wall and then proceeded to knock him down after a dispute over using the facility telephone.
Mr. Amaral was still in critical condition as of Sept. 20 — 11 days after the assault — according to the Providence Journal. In the weeks since, he had been discharged, according to an Oct. 20 report from WHJJ radio.
The violent attack on an employee who has worked at the Lifespan Health-owned facility since 1999, prompted the hospital to launch its #ScottStrong campaign pushing for others to commit to healthcare worker safety.
The hospital launched its campaign at an Oct. 19 meeting, according to a tweet from ABC 6 News.
Immediately following its announcement, healthcare workers from across the country submitted words of support and donations for Mr. Amaral's recovery, a post to X, formerly Twitter, from Lifespan's PR director shows.