Doctor Wounded in Attack by Patient

Violence in healthcare settings is unfortunately an all-too-common occurrence. In fact, the Joint Commission recently issued workplace violence standards, prompted by ongoing threats that healthcare workers face.

The violence continued recently, when Philadelphia police say one person was in custody after the patient stabbed a doctor while being treated inside Pennsylvania Hospital, according to CBSN Philly. Police say the suspect was being treated by a female doctor when the patient stabbed her multiple times in the head and face.

That doctor is recovering from her injuries, but the assault comes at a time when health care workers are already under immense pressure as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.

Dr. Theodore Christopher, chairman of the Department of Emergency Management at Jefferson, says news that the physician was stabbed by a patient is shocking but not surprising.

“I would venture to say 80 percent or most of us have either been assaulted or been the victim of some sort of violence by a patient,” Christopher said.

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