WEWS-TV, an ABC-affiliated television station in Cleveland, recently took a look at the number of violent attacks occurring at U.S. hospitals each year.
Here six things they found.
1. In 2013, the most recent year available, there were 5,710 cases of hospital violence in private hospitals, according to estimates obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2. WEWS-TV also cited a July 2014 survey of U.S. hospitals by the International Association of Healthcare and Security Foundation, which found a 25 percent increase in hospital-based crime between 2012 and 2013.
3. In Ohio, the television station found an estimated 520 cases of violent injuries over a two-year period, with 340 nurses victims of assault.
4. Cleveland-based MetroHealth reported 273 disorderly conduct and domestic violence case over the last three years.
5. The Cleveland Clinic reported 46 robberies and assaults over three years. A representative for Cleveland Clinic told WEWS-TV the figures were for Cleveland Clinic's main campus, and that crime had decreased between 2014-15.
6. University Hospitals reported two assaults and nine disorderly conduct cases in the last 14 months, according to the report.
Ty Moeder, president of Mitigation Dynamics, a national hospital security consultant weighed in on the issue, telling the television station he believes more could be done to protect patients and staff through active shooter drills and education.
"A generous number would be less than a third across the country," Mr. Moeder said, referring to the number of hospitals actively engaged in educational programs or training videos, according to the report. "Preventing an armed violent intruder is highly unlikely. However through proper policy, training and drills we can dramatically reduce the overall effects of such an incident," he added.
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