THE ACREAGE, Fla. – A second incident of violence erupted at Palms West Hospital in less than a month, with hospital employees desperately struggling to manage another aggressive psychiatric case. This recurring security issue, coming just weeks after a nurse suffered a severe assault, highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of both staff and patients in the absence of armed security.
During the latest confrontation, frantic 911 calls captured the chaos unfolding as six workers attempted to subdue the unruly patient who tried to flee the facility. The audio records reveal a tense situation on the hospital’s third floor, where employees feverishly worked to restrain the patient, clearly heard in the background challenging the efforts of the staff trying to secure him.
According to hospital staff during the call, the patient was temporarily enclosed in a room as security personnel and other employees tried to physically restrain him. The incident intensified as it took place in a hall where other patients were present, potentially endangering them.
Notably, this recent episode occurred on the same floor as the previous attack two weeks prior, where Nurse Leela Lal was brutally assaulted by a patient under similar circumstances. The attacker in the earlier incident, Stephen Eric Scantlebury, now faces charges of second-degree attempted murder with a hate crime enhancement following his altercation with Lal.
The experiences recounted by Lal’s daughter, Dr. Cindy Joseph, underscore the emotional and physical toll these incidents have taken on affected hospital employees and their families. Despite her mother still recovering in the very hospital where these violent outbursts continue, Dr. Joseph expressed dismay and concern over the recurrence of such disturbances, particularly given the potential risk to other patients and staff.
The situation is exacerbated by the apparent lack of armed security personnel on site, a fact that came to light during communication with the 911 operator, confirming the hospital’s reliance on unarmed guards in handling potentially dangerous situations.
In response to the ongoing safety concerns, Karen Terry, the attorney representing Lal’s family, criticized the hospital administration for not taking stronger measures to secure the premises. Terry emphasized that the absence of adequate security is part of a distressing pattern that endangers healthcare workers and must be addressed immediately with more effective protective measures.
While Palms West Hospital has expressed appreciation for the swift response from the local Sheriff’s Office to these emergencies, they have stopped short of committing to permanent changes in their security arrangements. Hospital officials cited patient privacy laws as grounds for not commenting further on the specifics of the incidents or their future security policies.
This string of violent incidents at Palms West Hospital has ignited discussions about the broader implications for safety in healthcare settings, especially in psychiatric care units. It raises critical questions about the balance between patient care and the safety of medical staff, and whether current protocols and security measures are sufficient to prevent such occurrences in the future.