GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – From Uvalde to Tulsa – another tragedy, another shooting.
But Dr. Brad Burmeister of Bellin Health tells FOX 11, violence at hospitals is unfortunately nothing new.
“I think people really would be surprised by the frequency of violence towards health care workers, particularly in the emergency setting really across the country.”
He says health care professionals worry about their safety at work every day.
Like others, he’s received threats from patients.
“We know that sometimes being in a hospital isn’t the most desirable thing in the world. But our staff put up with a lot of behavior and violence directed toward them that really is inappropriate.”
While it hasn’t led to a shooting, Bellin Emergency Management Coordinator David Kobielak says the hospital stays prepared in a number of ways.
“We train our staff in de-escalation techniques to hopefully lower any level of aggression from someone that presents in one of our areas, get them to a place where we can talk with them, reason with them.”
He says they focus on being proactive instead of reactive.
It’s why they have security near the lobby area in Green Bay, and others that roam the grounds.
Staff even go through drills in the event what happens in Tulsa, happens here.
“Train them to the concept of run, hide, fight. How can they protect themselves, how can they get out of their areas and get to a safe place,” said Kobielak.
Burmeister adding gun violence of innocent people could be an epidemic in itself in our country.
Saying when it comes to solutions, just one isn’t enough.
