NCHA Statement on Assault Incident at Duke Raleigh Hospital 

Cary, NC – July 29, 2022 – An assault on a Duke Health employee in a healthcare setting yesterday is a stark reminder of the rising tide of workplace violence faced by health care workers and why we must do everything we can to ensure that they are kept safe from violence so they can do the vital work they perform.  

In 2015, North Carolina passed a bipartisan bill S.L. 2015-97 that makes it a felony to assault hospital personnel and licensed healthcare providers who are providing or attempting to provide health care services to a patient in a hospital. This law must be enforced, but it’s not enough. 

As hospital workers continue to see increases in workplace violence, there is no federal standard requiring workplace protections. Last month, the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Workers (SAVE) Act H.R. 7961 was introduced in Congress, which would provide federal protections for healthcare and hospital workers similar to those that exist for flight crews, flight attendants and airport workers. This bill needs to be passed without delay. 

We shouldn’t tolerate an environment where violent altercations are so common that most healthcare employees consider them to be simply part of the job. Health systems and hospitals are committed to making every effort to protect their patients and staff, but more can and should be done starting with Congress passing H.R. 7961. 

About NCHA

Founded in 1918, North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is the united voice of the North Carolina healthcare community. Representing more than 130 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare organizations, NCHA works with our members to improve the health of North Carolina communities by advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships and by providing insights, services, support and education to expand access to high quality, efficient, affordable and integrated health care for all North Carolinians.