LOXAHATCHEE, FL — A Florida nurse is at risk of losing her sight after being violently attacked by a patient at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital, police reported. The incident, described as unprovoked and sudden, occurred Tuesday when the patient, identified as 33-year-old Stephen Eric Scantlebury, attacked the nurse, causing critical injuries.
Officials said Scantlebury was detained under the Baker Act due to his erratic behavior and apparent mental health concerns. This law permits involuntary examination of individuals who are considered unable to make rational decisions about medical treatment. Despite this precaution, the situation escalated quickly when Scantlebury, without warning, assaulted the nurse shortly after she entered his hospital room.
Eyewitnesses recounted a harrowing scene in which Scantlebury struck the nurse repeatedly across her face. After the assault, he ran from the room, sprinting down hospital corridors and stairwells, eventually spilling out onto the busy street still clad in his hospital linens and attached to medical monitoring devices. Law enforcement officers were able to subdue him using Tasers after a short standoff and took him into custody.
The nurse was immediately airlifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors assessed her injuries as severe, including multiple facial fractures. Medical staff expressed concerns about the irreparable damage to her eyesight.
As Scantlebury remains hospitalized under close watch, he now faces attempted murder charges. His court appearance is scheduled for next Tuesday, where the details of this distressing event will be further examined.
In the wake of the attack, HCA Florida Healthcare relayed their profound concern for the victim, underscoring the abrupt and violent nature of the incident. The statement from the hospital network also highlighted their commitment to employee safety and pledged ongoing support for their staff.
Willa Fuller, the executive director of the Florida Nurses Association, used the incident to emphasize the broader issue of safety in healthcare settings. Acknowledging the risks faced by healthcare workers, Fuller advocated for the inclusion of nurses in creating and implementing more effective safety protocols within medical facilities.
This incident has sparked a discussion among healthcare professionals and authorities on the need for better security measures and support systems to protect healthcare workers from similar violent acts. The community and the victim’s colleagues await further developments as legal proceedings against Scantlebury unfold.