In Columbus, Ohio, the leading nursing organization is calling for immediate measures following a reported incident where a nurse was allegedly assaulted by a patient at Ohio State University Hospital.

Rick Lucas, who presides over the Ohio Nurses Association and previously led the OSU nursing union, addressed a letter to the leadership at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. His communication followed an incident where a postpartum nurse sustained injuries at work and reportedly did not receive timely support from management or administration. According to Marti Leitch, the chief spokesperson for Wexner Medical Center, there were lapses in the post-incident notification process, which postponed the provision of support services until the following day.

Lucas detailed that the nurse became involved in a conflict between a female patient and a male family member at approximately 6:50 p.m. on November 6. The man purportedly held an infant, potentially putting the child at risk. For more information on previous OSU nurses’ safety concerns, watch the video above.

The nurse stepped in to help, and Lucas said she was strangled by the man. Leitch said the nurse was pulled into the hall by her shirt collar.

Leitch said the baby was unharmed, and the man was taken to the emergency department for evaluation because of his behavior. Leitch said medical center security and Ohio State University police both responded to de-escalate and protect the baby. Lucas said OSU police were only called once they confirmed the name of the man involved, and officers said they had received a call about the same person the day before.

Lucas said the nurse was not seen in the emergency department, and no hospital officials checked on her well-being.

“When she called me, she broke down again — not just because of the attack itself, but because no one asked her if she was okay,” Lucas said. “Not one person. That is an institutional failure of compassion.”

Leitch said the hospital’s support services were delayed, but was delivered the next morning to the nurse and other involved staff. She also said the hospital is correcting its process to ensure a similar delay does not happen in the future.

Lucas said the nurses’ union is demanding the hospital preserve and provide all camera footage, hold a debriefing with hospital administration, ban the man from the hospital unless he needs medical care, and that the hospital give the nurse paid leave. Leitch said in cases like this, employees are told they have the right to press charges. affiliate WCMH reached out to Ohio State police to see if any charges are being filed.

Lucas said learning of the event was one of the hardest phone calls of his life. He said he and the nurses union will continue to push for accountability.

“This altercation is a troubling example of a persisting national problem. No one should face the threat of harm at work,” Leitch said. “We remain firmly committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who comes to our facilities to work, learn or receive care.”