Patient assaults multiple staff members at Philadelphia's Episcopal Hospital
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A patient stabbed two people with a syringe at a hospital in the Kensington section of Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon, police say.
A male 39-year-old patient who arrived with EMTs at Temple University Hospital - Episcopal Campus on East Lehigh Avenue was agitated and behaving violently when nursing staff tried to administer medication with a syringe, Philadelphia police said. During a struggle, the offender knocked the syringe away, causing it to poke a security guard in the arm. A recovery specialist then attempted to intervene but was stabbed twice in the arm with the used needle, according to police.
The patient then tried to stab the specialist again, which police say caused the specialist to jump back and accidentally elbow a nurse in the head, police said. The nurse was injured and did not remember the incident.
When police arrived, the suspect was restrained by hospital staff. He is in custody and will be charged with several counts of assault, according to police.
Those who were injured are in stable condition, police said.
"This 39-year-old was brought into the emergency room because he had symptoms of an overdose," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. "They're trying to help him, they're trying to save his life, and he turns the tables. And the very people that are trying to help him and save his life get assaulted by this individual."
In a statement, Temple Health said, "The safety of our employees, patients and visitors is our first priority at Temple University Hospital - Episcopal Campus. We are working with police as they continue to investigate this incident. We are offering onsite support and resources to those impacted."
This story has been updated with new information from police.