The neurosurgeon who narrowly survived a stabbing attack in the foyer of Western Hospital in Footscray, Victoria, Australia, is calling for new measures to protect staff and patients, according to an article on The Age website.
Michael Wong was stabbed 14 times in his arms, chest, abdomen and forehead as he arrived for work before being dragged to safety by passers-by.
Wong said secure entrances for hospital staff, restricted access to wards and regular security patrols of public areas were some of the measures needed to prevent repeat attacks.
"It's difficult to see how any level of security changes would make a difference, except to have everyone searched like an airport coming through the front door, which is very difficult in a hospital environment," Western Health chief executive Alex Cockram said.
Data released to Fairfax Media under freedom of information laws revealed that violent patients armed with knives, chairs and syringes threatened or attacked staff in more than 100 "code black" incidents at 11 Melbourne hospitals in 2012-13, according to the article.
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