ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – Health care providers at the hospital in St. Johnsbury are still rattled after police say they were assaulted over the weekend.
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital officials say on Sunday, a man seeking mental health help went to the emergency room and became physical with staff. The altercation started inside, moved outside and eventually led to the man’s arrest.
With a continued increase in emergency room violence, officials say the hospital is ramping up its training efforts.
“We do our best in the moment. Then we look at that incident and see what we can get better at because there is no perfect answer to any situation. It is hard to manage, nobody is great at it right now. But we are working to get better,” said Shawn Burroughs, the hospital’s chief information officer.
The man accused of the assault is expected in court next month.