Nationwide Hospital Safety and Workplace Violence Updates: August 2024

Here’s a look at some of the workplace violence incidents that have occurred in U.S. hospitals this month.

In Oregon on Aug. 11, an agitated man pointed a gun at a security guard at Salem Hospital, the Salem Reporter reported. The incident began when the hospital’s weapons detection equipment at the emergency department entrance alerted James Allen Swerfeger, 35. He was asked to submit to a more thorough weapons check, and Swerfeger became agitated and left. He later returned to his vehicle, and when asked to leave the campus, he pointed a gun at a security guard.

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Swerfeger was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, assault on a public safety officer and criminal possession of a firearm.

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In Nashville, Tennessee, Dakota Johnson, 30 (no relation to the actress) was arrested on August 25 after an altercation with a security guard at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital in Midtown, reports Scoop Nashville. The workplace violence incident began when Johnson became disruptive. He had sought mental health assistance but was unhappy with the treatment.

Johnson then threatened to kill hospital workers, prompting staff members to call security. As a security guard escorted him out of the hospital, he elbowed him.

Johnson faces charges of assault and disturbing the peace.

In Mechanicsville, Virginia, Palul Leo Herbert, 33, was arrested on August 24 for damaging a vehicle in the parking lot of MedStart St. Mary’s Hospital, SMNewsNet reports. He was charged with malicious destruction of property.

Michigan Hospital’s K-9 Security Program Helps De-Escalate Workplace Violence Incidents

August, however, saw a positive development in hospital security. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, officials at Trinity Health Grand Rapids say the hospital’s K-9 security program has proven very effective in responding to incidents, WWMT reports.

The hospital’s security team implemented K-9 dogs two years ago to help combat workplace violence, which was particularly challenging at the emergency department entrance. Since the program began, the dogs have responded to about 400 situations and have successfully defused more than 75 percent of the incidents they’ve encountered.

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At least one K-9 dog, accompanied by a security guard, is on site at all times at the hospital. The dogs are trained in de-escalation and bomb detection.