New Report Details Rising Tide of Gun Violence in Healthcare Settings
Mayo Clinic researchers have issued a new report documenting the continued rise in the number of healthcare-based shootings in the U.S.
From 2000 to 2024, shootings increased from 6 to 34 events per year, representing a 6.4% increase each year, Sarayna McGuire, MD, MS, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and colleagues reported in JAMA Network Open. The most common shooting sites included parking lots or outdoor sites (45.6%), hospital floors (18%), and the emergency department (17.7%).
New York is not immune from this trend. In the last year, shootings have taken place outside the emergency department of Mount Sinai Hospital and at Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where the victim was shot by police officers. In recent years, shootings have taken place at BronxCare, Westchester County Medical Center, Erie County Medical Center, Ellenville Regional Hospital, and NYC Health+Hospitals/Jacobi Medical Center.
In the report, researchers commented that the results "underscore the need for hospital-specific prevention strategies, including consideration of weapons screening processes, alongside broader societal and community efforts to address rising firearm violence."
Over the last several years, NYSNA members have won many new protections around gun violence in their facilities – from improved access screening and control, to new weapon screening technology and improved communications during violent incidents. Recent contract campaigns across New York State, in fact, resulted in numerous agreements on these and other protections.
The rising tide of gun violence in healthcare settings is well-documented. The trend of greater protections in healthcare in New York State is also on the rise – thanks in large part to the pressure applied by NYSNA members and the actions taken at the facility, local, and state levels.
For more information or to discuss what you can do in your facility, contact NYSNA's Health and Safety Team at healthandsafety@nysna.org.