Coal Township, Pa., police charged a patient at Coal Township-based Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital for assaulting hospital employees during his hospital stay March 1, according to The News-Item.
The 50-year-old patient was arraigned March 13 on three felony counts of aggravated assault, a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct and three summary counts of harassment involving the assaults that took place around 7:40 a.m. March 1.
The patient allegedly assaulted three hospital employees, including the RN team coordinator, as they attempted to restrain him. The victims suffered injuries, according to police.
When one of the hospital employees responded to a problem in one of the hospital's special care rooms, he found the patient out of his bed. Multiple staff members attempted to assist him back into bed. The patient allegedly swung his arms at staff and swung an emergency flashlight at employees.
After the patient continued to swing and kick at staff members, he forcefully kicked one of the hospital employees in the chest area, causing pain and bruising, according to police.
Over 10 staff members assisted in restraining the patient and administering a sedative, police said. The patient was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.