Blank











Man jailed for assaulting ER nurses
by Julie Manganis

http://www.ecnnews.com/cgi-bin/05/snstory.pl?-sec-News+1k589g0+fn-snurse-20051117-+page_3

SALEM
A 28-year-old Lynn man admitted yesterday in court
to attacking two Salem Hospital emergency room
nurses when he flew into a violent rage while being
treated last winter.
Keith Harding will spend 90 days in jail for the two
counts of assault and battery. In Salem District Court
yesterday, one of his victims described the attack's
emotional impact, and a representative of her union
said such assaults on nurses are too common.
"Emotionally, it was difficult for me," said the nurse,
whose hand was bent so far back by Harding that one
of her fingers snapped.
She missed two weeks of work after the Feb. 8 attack, which occurred while she was
trying to restrain him after he ripped out an IV.
John Gordon, an associate director with the Massachusetts Nurses Association, said
nurses and other hospital employees face such dangers all the time.
"It's actually very common, especially in the emergency department," said Gordon, who
attended yesterday's hearing.
Three police cars were sent to the hospital on the evening of Feb. 8, in response to
a 911 call about a patient who was out of control.
A second nurse, who did not speak in court, was pushed into a file cabinet, leaving
bruises on her.
Harding also allegedly went after two other nurses, a doctor and a security guard,
but they didn't report injuries or press criminal complaints, Gordon said.
But two of the nurses did.
"We insisted on going forward with this because we want to send a message," Gordon
said.
Not only did they want to see Harding held accountable, "we also wanted to send a
message to the hospital that they need to take this more seriously."
Last winter, after a series of incidents, including the Harding case, the union filed
complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Gordon said he does not believe there has been a significant change in how the
hospital handles security.
But Lou Woolf, the hospital's executive vice president and chief operating officer,
disagreed with that assessment. Woolf cited the recent hiring of a new security
director, as well as increased staffing in the security department, including the
constant presence of a security guard in the emergency department and four guards on
duty at all times.
"I feel as though we've done quite a bit since this particular episode," said Woolf,
who added the hospital is also working more closely with Salem police.

Woolf also said that all hospitals face the challenge of dealing with violent
patients.
Harding — who for most of the day did not want to accept the plea agreement worked
out between his own lawyer and the prosecutor because it meant he would serve jail
time — told the judge yesterday he does not recall anything that happened that night.
He also told the judge, "I should have been on medication. I refused to take my
meds."
Gordon said that the nurses believe that Harding became enraged when he believed his
girlfriend was unfaithful. "He lashed out at people."
Judge Joseph Jennings sentenced Harding to one year in jail but ordered him to serve
90 days, followed by two years of probation. His probation will include drug
treatment, random drug and alcohol screens and anger management counseling and
carries an order to stay away from the nurses and Salem Hospital unless brought there
for an emergency

--
_____________________________________________________

I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
___________________________________________________