Three hospital shootings in a short period of time may lead some to wonder why more isn't being done. But these events don't occur as frequently as it may seem right now, and steps to avoid such incidents are so potentially burdensome to hospitals that many aren't realistic, according to an article on the Becker's Hospital Review website.
A study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine identified roughly 154 hospital-related shootings in the United States between 2000 and 2011, roughly 59 percent of which actually occurred in the hospital as opposed to outside on its grounds.
Researchers found hospital shootings are relatively rare when compared with other forms of workplace violence such as assault and disorderly conduct.
After a fatal shooting in 2010 at Johns Hopkins, a Baltimore Sun report pointed out the hospital did not have metal detectors. Johns Hopkins officials argued that it would be impossible to impose these increased security restrictions and still remain welcoming to patients.
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