Attacks Against Health Care Workers Increase Urgency for Safety Measures

Four attacks in less than 10 days on workers at an Iowa mental health facility have intensified calls for greater protections against violence for health care workers. Four staff members at the Independence Mental Health Institute were attacked over nine days this month, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 61 said in a news release. On June 6, a patient escaped restraints and hit a residential treatment worker in the head and jaw at least three times, AFSCME said. The employee is being treated for a head injury, a cervical sprain and jaw pain, and is rec...