U.S. hospital shooting reveals escalating workplace violence against nurses
PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES — The recent shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York County, Pennsylvania, has brought renewed attention to the alarming trend of workplace violence against healthcare workers across the United States.
The incident, which resulted in the death of West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte and injuries to five others, including a doctor, nurse, and custodian, underscores the growing safety concerns in healthcare settings.
Nurses face disproportionate risk of workplace violence
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), one in four nurses face workplace violence, a rate higher than police and correctional officers. The situation has deteriorated further since the COVID-19 pandemic, with ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy describing it as “a growing public health crisis that demands urgent attention.”
“One in three nurses lack the necessary safeguards to ensure their safety on the job, and one in every three nurses report personally experiencing workplace violence,” Kennedy stated.
The ANA, representing over 5 million registered nurses nationwide, continues to advocate for stronger workplace protections.
Targeted attacks becoming more common
The Pennsylvania incident involved 49-year-old Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, who entered the hospital’s intensive care unit armed with a pistol and zip ties, taking staff members hostage before being killed in a police shootout. Authorities indicated that Archangel-Ortiz had deliberately targeted the hospital after previous contact with the ICU regarding someone else’s medical care.
Hospital security consultant Dick Sem noted that such violence is increasing across various hospital departments. “Many people are more confrontational, quicker to become angry, quicker to become threatening,” Sem told TIME. “I interview thousands of nurses and hear all the time about how they’re being abused every day.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare and social assistance employees suffered almost three-quarters of nonfatal attacks on workers in the private sector in 2021 and 2022, at a rate more than five times the national average.
Offshore outsourcing emerges as safety-driven strategy
Some healthcare systems are now exploring remote care models that could potentially reduce exposure to workplace violence. Virtual nursing programs — where certain patient interactions occur via secure telehealth platforms — are gaining traction as both cost-saving and safety measures.
Industry analysts report that several major hospital networks have begun pilot programs outsourcing specific nursing functions to offshore providers. These initiatives primarily target documentation, patient monitoring, and non-emergency consultations that don’t require physical presence.
Legislative momentum builds for healthcare safety reforms
Federal regulators face mounting pressure to implement standardized protections as healthcare becomes one of America’s most dangerous professions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has accelerated the development of first-ever national violence prevention standards following recent tragedies.
Two bills pending in U.S. Congress – The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act and the Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act – are expected to bolster workplace violence mitigation efforts and make it a federal crime to assault a hospital employee, if passed.
The ANA has called on Congress to introduce legislation for OSHA to establish a workplace violence prevention standard within one year. This would mandate health care and social service facilities to implement a comprehensive violence prevention program, including mandatory incident reporting and tracking, effective training to identify and de-escalate potential violent situations, and policies ensuring compliance at all levels.
