Healthcare advocates, lawmakers call for more measures to protect hospital workers from violence
In the wake of the deadly shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital, healthcare leaders are shining a light on increasing workplace violence against nurses and doctors.
YORK, Pa. — As UPMC Memorial Hospital continues to recover from a deadly shooting on Saturday, healthcare advocates are calling for a renewed focus on safety for hospital patients and staff.
“This [case] on Saturday was the worst-case scenario,” said Maureen May.
Maureen May is the president of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, a union representing more than 11,000 healthcare workers across the Commonwealth.
She said Saturday’s shooting is a tragedy and reflects a growing trend of workplace violence against hospital staff.
In a 2024 survey, 66% of PASNAP members reported experiencing violent incidents while working. May said that is a 50% increase from 2021.
Additionally, a 2018 study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that workers in the healthcare industry were five times more likely to experience workplace violence than any other industry.
“No healthcare worker should end up in a critical care unit, nor should they even get hit, spit on, and abused,” said May.
Last year, State Representative Leanne Krueger (D-Delaware County) introduced House Bill 224, also known as the “Healthcare Workplace Violence Prevention Act.” The bill would’ve required hospitals to establish workplace violence prevention committees and protocols, as well as keep and maintain reports of workplace violence.
The legislation passed through the Labor Committee before dying on the House floor.
Now, Rep. Krueger is looking for new co-sponsors to reintroduce the bill.
“Sometimes, Harrisburg doesn’t move as quickly as I would like to,” said Rep. Krueger. “But given the latest tragedy in York, I am hoping my colleagues will come together to get this bill out of committee and to the floor quickly.”
Advocates say more nursing staff, security screenings, and response systems are critical to keeping both hospital staff and patients safe.
“We’re not just taking care of the patient; we’re taking care of the family,” said May. “We have to keep that in mind and have the protections necessary.”
FOX43 reached out to UPMC for comment on the story, but we have not heard back as of this hour.
UPMC Memorial Hospital remains closed to visitors.
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