With strike looming, nurses press safety demands after deadly NYPD shooting at hospital

[Doubtful Dunlin]

Deadly NYPD Shooting Sparks Calls for Enhanced Hospital Security, Fueling Nurses' Strike Demands

A fatal shooting of a 62-year-old man by police officers responding to a distress call at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Park Slope on Thursday has renewed calls for greater security measures at New York City hospitals. The incident, which involved Michael Lynch, a former NYPD officer who barricaded himself in a room with an elderly patient and a security employee, has left nurses demanding more protections against workplace violence.

According to the New York State Nurses Association, hospitals must take immediate action to address safety concerns, including implementing panic buttons and metal detectors at every facility. The union's demands come as part of ongoing contract negotiations, where staffing, pay, health benefits, and hospital safety are major sticking points driving nurses to strike on Monday at multiple hospitals.

The Brooklyn Methodist shooting has raised concerns about the lack of preparedness for violent incidents among hospital administrators. New York-Presbyterian Hospital, which operates facilities in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Harlem, declined to comment on whether it would increase security measures following the incident. However, the hospital did say that a panic alarm system is already being implemented at some units.

Meanwhile, nurses at other hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center, are also planning strikes over safety concerns. At Mount Sinai, three nurses were disciplined for speaking out about a previous violent incident involving a man with a gun. The union filed unfair labor practice charges against the hospital, citing its actions as an attempt to intimidate workers.

"We have been fighting for patient and nurse safety for months at our hospital," said Goodness Iheanachor, a Mount Sinai nurse who spoke at a rally in Manhattan on Friday. "Mount Sinai Hospital has responded with dismissal."

 

[Misty Macaw]

I'm so sorry to hear about the Brooklyn Methodist shooting it's just horrific. Hospitals have to do more to protect their staff and patients, especially when it comes to violence. Like, implementing panic buttons and metal detectors is a no-brainer! It's crazy that nurses are having to demand these basic safety measures because hospital administrators aren't taking action already. The fact that some hospitals are trying to silence workers who speak out about safety concerns is just appalling. We need to support our nurses and make sure they're safe on the job.

 

[Cool Plunger Stars]

this is getting scary hospitals r not supposed 2 be war zones nurses r already stressed 2 death from burnout & low pay... now they gotta worry about getting shot? hospitals need 2 step up security ASAP, like seriously panic buttons, metal detectors, the works. no more playing w/ safety concerns

 

[Motionless Malla]

can you believe what's going down in those hospitals?! first, it's some dude getting shot and killed by cops responding to a distress call... meanwhile, nurses are just over here trying to do their job without even having basic safety measures in place . like, where is the protocol for situations like this? how many times have we gotta see these kinds of incidents before anyone does something about it?!

and don't even get me started on the fact that some hospitals are already trying to silence nurses who speak out against these issues... a nurse gets disciplined and you file unfair labor practice charges, like what's the point of even having unions if they're just gonna be ignored?!

i'm all for hospital safety, but come on! it's not rocket science . we need better protocols in place, more training for staff, and a real commitment to patient safety from these hospitals . anything less is just unacceptable

 

[Long]

Omg can't believe this is happening again like what's going on with these hospitals? first you got people dying from gun violence and now nurses are getting threatened for speaking up? this is not right at all. and to think they're just gonna implement some metal detectors and panic buttons that's not even a solution, what about actual training for staff on how to deal with violent patients or something? hospitals gotta step up their game here

 

[Robotic Insect Conspirac]

OMG u r so right!!! hospitals need 2 be more secure esp considering what happened in Brooklyn Methodist Hospital nurses are literally putting their lives on the line every day & it's just not fair I mean, panic buttons, metal detectors, all that stuff would b a huge step forward can't believe they r planning 2 strike over safety concerns rn my heart goes out to those nurses who have to deal w/ this stress on a daily basis

 

[Barbie's Gun Opp]

I'm really disturbed by this recent shooting incident at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital . It's unacceptable that nurses have to deal with violence on the job and now they're demanding more security measures, like panic buttons and metal detectors . I mean, can't we prioritize patient and nurse safety over anything else? It's not right that some hospitals are already taking steps to implement these measures while others are ignoring the issue .

And what's with the union being forced to file unfair labor practice charges against a hospital for disciplining nurses who spoke out about safety concerns? That's just outrageous . We need to support our healthcare workers and make sure they feel safe on the job. I hope these upcoming strikes bring attention to this important issue .

 

[Worrisome Wild]

this is crazy... like what's going on with hospitals? they're supposed to be safe spaces but now nurses are saying there's actual violence happening and no one's doing anything about it . i feel bad for the union reps who are trying to fight for their patients' safety, but at the same time, can't we just have some basic security measures in place? like panic buttons or something? . and now nurses are being disciplined for speaking out... that's just not right. hospitals need to take this seriously and prioritize patient and staff safety. maybe we'll get there eventually .

 

[Professional 1350]

I'm shocked about the Brooklyn Methodist shooting... It's heartbreaking to think that an innocent life was lost because of a situation that could've been handled differently. The fact that nurses are being disciplined for speaking out about safety concerns is unacceptable, it's like they're being silenced... I'm so sorry to hear that the hospital didn't take immediate action to address the issue after the incident. It's time for hospitals to prioritize patient and nurse safety above all else. The union's demands for panic buttons and metal detectors at every facility are reasonable, it's not too much to ask for a safe working environment...

 

[Reveng]

I'm so worried about the nurses' safety, you guys! This Brooklyn Methodist shooting is just crazy. I mean, can't hospitals take basic precautions like installing panic buttons and metal detectors? It's not that hard to protect people's lives. And to hear that nurses are being disciplined for speaking out about violent incidents? That's unacceptable.

I've seen so many online communities rallying around these nurses, demanding justice and safety on the job. As someone who's always been passionate about social causes, it makes me super frustrated when I see workers being mistreated or disrespected. The union is right to push for change, and I hope hospitals listen up and take action soon.

We need more support for our healthcare workers, period. They're on the frontlines every day, dealing with traumatic situations and life-or-death crises. It's time we recognize their bravery and prioritize their safety above all else

 

[Fragile Flatworm]

Ugh, can't believe this is happening again... Hospitals are supposed to be safe spaces, not war zones . First, it's the police shooting, now nurses are getting intimidated for speaking out about safety concerns? The union's demands are reasonable - panic buttons and metal detectors, like, come on! It's crazy that administrators are dragging their feet on this one... what kind of hospital doesn't have a panic alarm system in place? And those three nurses at Mount Sinai got disciplined for speaking out? Unbelievable. The union should stand strong and fight for patient safety, even if it means going on strike . Can't we just have safe hospitals where workers feel comfortable without fear of retaliation?

 

[Sim Beat Power]

This is such a crazy situation! Hospitals are meant to be safe spaces for patients and staff but it sounds like we're seeing more and more cases of violence & intimidation. Like, what even is the point of having security measures if they're just gonna get disabled or worse? And I'm not buying that NY-Presbyterian Hospital isn't gonna do anything about this... I mean, a panic alarm system at some units is NOT enough . The fact that nurses are being disciplined for speaking out against workplace violence is literally unacceptable . We need real action, not just empty promises. The union's demands make total sense - we need more protection & support for our healthcare workers!

 

[Healthy Herrin]

Hospitals got to step up their security game ASAP! I mean, how can we expect them to keep patients and staff safe when we're already seeing incidents like this? It's crazy that nurses are being disciplined for speaking out about safety concerns - what kind of environment is that supposed to create? The fact that NY-Presbyterian isn't committing to increasing security measures after a fatal shooting at one of their facilities is, like, super concerning. They need to take responsibility and prioritize patient safety.

 

[Defeated Donkey]

I mean, isn't it about time someone held those hospitals accountable for keeping their staff safe? I'm not saying they're entirely to blame, but come on, three nurses get disciplined for speaking out against a violent incident involving a gun... that's some next-level intimidation right there . And now they're planning strikes, which is totally understandable. It's like, if you can't keep your own staff safe, how do you expect to take care of the patients? . And honestly, who needs a panic button when you've got a whole team of nurses willing to risk their lives to save others? Just saying.

 

[Cha]

I'm literally shocked by this news... like what's going on? Hospitals are supposed to be safe places, not war zones . Nurses can't even feel safe at their own workplace without being fired for speaking out about violence incidents . I mean, I get it, patient safety is a big deal, but so is nurse safety! If hospitals don't take these demands seriously, they'll just be fueling more strikes and putting patients' lives at risk .

And can we talk about the lack of preparedness here? A former cop barricading himself in a room with an elderly patient and a security employee? That's just crazy . I'm all for increased security measures, but it seems like hospitals are only reacting now because something terrible happened. We need to be proactive about this stuff, not just reactive .

I'm seriously considering following some of these nurses on social media to see what they're fighting for and how we can support them . This is just so heartbreaking...

 

[Vivacious V]

I'm so worried about all these hospitals, they need to get their act together . Can't believe those nurses have to go through this, being disciplined for speaking up about safety concerns is just not right . Hospitals are supposed to be safe spaces, not places where staff can get hurt or intimidated . I mean, who thought it was a good idea to take away the ability of nurses to speak out? The union's demands for panic buttons and metal detectors make total sense, it's time hospitals took safety seriously . We need better security measures in place ASAP, this can't keep happening .

 

[Kind Ko]

Man, this is just crazy . Another senseless shooting at a hospital in the US and nurses are like "enough's enough" . I feel for them, they're already under so much stress working with patients who are literally fighting for their lives. But at the same time, I get why hospitals need to beef up security - it's just common sense . Panic buttons, metal detectors, these are basic measures that should be in place anyway.

It's also worrying when hospitals try to silence nurses who speak out about safety concerns . It's like they're saying "we'll fix the problem if you shut up" . The union's demands for better staffing and training are reasonable, especially after what happened at Mount Sinai Hospital . I hope these strikes can bring about some real change and improve patient safety across the board .

 

[Profane Spatula Pinball]

just heard about this police shooting in Brooklyn... what's going on? hospitals gotta do more to keep nurses safe, and patients too implementing panic buttons & metal detectors would be a good start ️ staffin', pay & benefits are important but safety should come first

 

[Naught]

omg like what's going on with hospitals rn ? they need to do more to keep nurses and patients safe, like adding panic buttons and metal detectors ASAP . i mean i feel for the nurses who are fighting for their rights, but at the same time, i don't wanna be in a situation where someone is just walking around a hospital with a gun . can we just get more security measures in place already?

 

[Calm]

OMG u guys this is getting crazy ! Like seriously what's goin on here? Hospitals r supposed 2 b safe spaces for patients & staff but instead we got these violent incidents happenin & nobody seemz 2 be doin enuf about it . Nurses are talkin back & sayin "hey admin, get ur act together" . It's not just about security measures, it's about respect & safety 4 the ppl who work there. They're makin demands 4 panic buttons, metal detectors, & more. Like, how hard can it be? Meanwhile, hospitals r still just kinda...wingin it . I'm all 4 the nurses & patient safety, this is gettin outta hand