Health care workers face rising violence in Kentucky, renewing calls for reform

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Recent violent attacks against health care workers in Kentucky have prompted renewed calls for stronger workplace safety protections, as medical professionals warn that the violence could worsen the state’s ongoing health care worker shortage.

Saturday morning, a woman was stabbed while waiting for a ride outside Jewish Hospital. Police said Lacy Wilson started an argument with a nurse before stabbing them multiple times with a screwdriver. Wilson fled the scene and was later arrested.

The attack is one of several incidents in recent months that have left health care workers shaken and advocates calling for immediate change.

"That is so sad," said Bradley Cairo, a local health care worker. "You should never feel unsafe coming to work."

In March, 911 calls from UofL Health Peace Hospital — a psychiatric facility — captured frantic nurses pleading for help during a chaotic night. Records show nurses phoned 911 around 8:30 p.m. March 8 saying 15 juveniles in the Louisville psychiatric hospital were fighting, out of control and staff were caught in the middle trying to break it up.

"That's one of the patients banging. He's banging on the wall at the nurses station," a nurse is heard saying in a recorded call.

Delanor Manson, CEO of the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA), said the ongoing violence can be a contributor to the shortage of health care workers.

“So who wants to join a profession when there’s a great possibility that they will be harmed? Not many people,” Manson said.

The KNA, established in 1906, is urging state lawmakers to strengthen workplace violence protections. A law passed in 2023 sponsored by Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, was intended to require health care facilities to implement violence prevention strategies. Manson said the law’s vague language has resulted in minimal enforcement.

“To make it a law that can stand up — that every place a health care provider works is a safe place,” she said.

Manson believes future legislation should include mandatory safety assessments, staff training programs, and a requirement to report all workplace injuries. She emphasized the focus should be on creating safer environments, not blaming individuals involved in violent incidents.

“The issue is on the environment and making it safe, not on the individual that might harm someone, and certainly not on the person who is at harm,” Manson said.

Manson said KNA is working with Nemes.

In a statement, Nemes said:

“Far too often health care workers, especially nurses, are assaulted at the workplace. Two years ago our legislature, following the leadership of the Kentucky Nurses Association, passed a bill designed to protect these workers against workplace violence. This recent incident highlights the need for all health care facilities to follow both the spirit and letter of that law. And I look forward to working with the Kentucky Nurses Association to improve that law and keep our nurses and other health care providers safe.”

Health care workers like Cairo are hopeful these changes can be made to ensure safety and attract more people to the profession.

“We need people like us in the hospital to help out,” he said.

The Kentucky Nurses Association is urging all Kentuckians — not just those in the health care field — to contact their state lawmakers and advocate for stronger protections for health care workers.

Jewish Hospital employee stabbed after leaving work, suspect arrested