Shooting Gives Hospital Violence Prime Time Attention

Of course, HealthLeaders has been covering the issue for months, hoping for the best, but fearing the worst:

Bay State Addresses Nurse Safety, But Is It Enough?

Stand By Your Employees:When Assaults Occur

Let's Raise Public Awareness of Hospital Violence

ED Shooting Shows Why Confronting Hospital Violence Must Be A Priority

 
All of this newfound media attention is a good thing. Many people view journalists as vultures sweeping into tragedies to pick at the carcass. Regardless of what you think of journalists, media attention creates public awareness, and public awareness can  prompt action.

Unless there is evidence of egregious negligence on the part of a hospital, the public is not inclined to blame a hospital if a shooting occurs on its campus, just as they wouldn't blame a car for a drunk driver, or a bank for a robbery. Thinking people understand that hospitals are as vulnerable as any other place—if not more so—-to the violence that pervades our society.