Three female nurses are recovering after being slashed in the face at Newark Beth Israel Hospital on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 7:00 AM in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
According to authorities, a female suspect was visiting a patient in the PICU when a verbal altercation escalated into violence. The suspect used a “cutting implement,” which has not yet been identified, to attack the nurses, causing injuries to their faces.
The nurses were promptly taken to the hospital’s emergency room for treatment and are all reported to be in stable condition. The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was apprehended by hospital security and remains in police custody.
The motive for the attack is still under investigation, but early reports suggest it may have stemmed from a disagreement between the suspect and hospital staff.
“This is a truly disturbing incident, and our hearts go out to the nurses who were injured,” said a spokesperson for Newark Beth Israel Hospital. “We are cooperating fully with the police investigation and are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients and staff.”
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of healthcare workers, who are often vulnerable to violence in the workplace. The American Nurses Association (ANA) reports that approximately 20,000 nurses are assaulted each year in the United States.
“This incident highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to protect healthcare workers from violence,” said ANA President Ernest J. Grant. “We are calling on hospitals and policymakers to take action to ensure that nurses can work in a safe and secure environment.”
The investigation into the attack at Newark Beth Israel Hospital is ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.
