An update on increasing ER violence and what's being done about it

Violent incidents in the hospital emergency room are increasing in intensity throughout the country, endangering the lives of the medical staff, security officers, patients, and visitors. Much of the violence is attributed to the spread of gang and drug activity, along with overcrowded, understaffed ERs due to a depressed economy. This report covers recent incidents of ER violence and the public demands of ER physicians and nurses for increased security. We will also detail security measures--from training in the psychology of violence to installing state-of-the-art metal detectors--that hospitals are now utilizing as deterrents.