LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. — In response to a severe assault on a nurse by a patient in February, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital is taking steps to bolster its security measures. The hospital has established a dedicated area for law enforcement in its emergency room as part of these initial security enhancements.
Despite these measures, officials are concerned that more comprehensive actions are needed to adequately protect staff and patients. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw pointed out that merely having a workspace for officers doesn’t guarantee an ongoing police presence, as officers could be occupied with other emergencies.
Sheriff Bradshaw emphasized the need for the hospital to enter into a formal agreement with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for dedicated deputies. This approach has been successfully implemented by other hospitals in the region to ensure safety and deter potential threats.
The hospital is in the process of finalizing such a contract with local law enforcement. In preparation for a robust security protocol, administrators and police command staff are scheduled to meet next week to discuss specifics, including the assignment of deputies to the emergency room during peak hours.
The urgency of these security reinforcements was highlighted by a brutal attack on Leelamma Lal, a 67-year-old nurse at the facility, by 33-year-old patient Stephen Scantlebury. The attack left Lal with severe facial injuries, and she is now facing the possibility of losing her vision. She had to be airlifted to another hospital given the gravity of her injuries.
Scantlebury was admitted to the hospital under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for involuntary commitment if an individual is deemed a threat to themselves or others. At the time of the incident, Scantlebury was temporarily held at Palms West because no beds were available at a specialized Baker Act receiving facility.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the training of hospital staff under the Baker Act. Typically, personnel at Baker Act-receiving facilities receive extensive hands-on training to deal with psychiatric patients effectively. Staff in other hospital departments, such as those at Palms West’s emergency room, only receive this specialized training through broader online modules, which also address general patient care.
With a significant focus on enhancing security and re-evaluating staff training, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital is taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. Hospital officials and law enforcement continue to work closely to implement these vital changes, aiming to create a safer environment for both its patients and healthcare workers.