Protect Emergency Department Staff and Veterans at the Atlanta VAMC

Tragic shooting and death of VA patient in the Emergency Department on January 29, 2024 due to lack of adequate security measures

Can't believe that this has happened!! Hope everyone is doing ok and we will keep you all in our prayers durung this difficult time.

This needs to be fixed asap!!

Based on past events in other local hospitals, we need to be proactive in protecting the ER staff and Vets. The above mentioned security features are good safety measures to implement. They would make the ER safer and staff would feel more comfortable while at work.

These safety measures are beyond overdue.

These safeties are needed in clinics like the Front door as well.

I agree to place safety measures in place for all staff, especially staff who work in vulnerable places such as the Emergency Department.

Please help to ensure the safety of VA staff as they work to help veterans. There are too many cases in which additional safety measures could've prevented unsafe situations.

Our lives matter.

The VA police should be actively involved in protection of staff. They should monitoring entrance and screening patients/ belongings using metal detector and or x ray. Additionally, a VA police person should be permanently stationed in ED to ensure patients visitors and staff are protected as well as maintaining order as opposed to allowing patients and family to "show out" in ED. I agree with all proposed safety measures suggested by Dr Nichols

Everyone needs to practice safety. Escorts need to ask name and last 4 before they take patients from their original locations too!!

Protect my peoples

PGY3 Psychiatry

Please ensure Veteran and staff health and safety ,

Have had multiple instances of patients having weapons in their possessions that weren't found or known about until after they were in the ED, with weapons nearby at hand, for a significant amount of time. Metal detectors would have identified these. Have also had multiple instances where VA PD was needed and was not present in their office just outside of the emergency room. I think all of these recommendations are common sense, appropriate use of resources, and should be easily attainable.

I AGREE 100,000,000 TO HAVE ALL THE SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE TO PROTECT THE STAFF.

I agreed to have all the measures necessaries to protect patients and staffs

Stop the physical and verbal abuse of the staff from patients and family.

I have personally experienced serious threats against me from patients including times when patients warned me they will go home and get a gun and come back to shoot me. Security is a serious problem in the ED of the Atlanta VA Hospital.

Let's work together to provide a safe environment, to increase both staff and patient safety.