Saint Francis hosted ceremonial signing of House Bill 214

WILMINGTON, Del.— On September 15, 2016, Delaware Governor Jack Markell joined prime legislative sponsor, State Representative Helene Keeley, State Senator Bethany Hall-Long, Saint Francis Hospital administrators and staff, to ceremoniously sign House Bill 214, which raises the penalties for assaults on nurses, at a ceremony at Saint Francis Hospital.

The bill classifies physical injury caused to any nurse performing his or her duties as second-degree assault, a Class D felony punishable by up to eight years in prison. The bill was officially signed into law on June 28, 2016.

“This legislation is very critical in order to protect our nurses,” said Brian Dietz, CEO and President of Saint Francis Hospital. “We appreciate Governor Jack Markell’s tremendous support of Saint Francis.”

Nurses across Delaware are subject to physical or verbal abuse on a daily basis. According to the United States Department of Justice, nearly 500,000 nurses are victims of violence at their workplace each year, and nurses who work in emergency departments or psychiatric-mental health facilities are more likely to be targets.

Saint Francis Hospital nurses are unfortunately, no exception.

“Attacks happen; it’s a high, intense situation,” said Maria LeNoir, Trauma Program Manager, Saint Francis Hospital. “You never know what is going to happen day-to-day or who is going to walk through the door.”

Delaware nurses are joining the company of emergency personnel and first-responders, who already receive this level of protection. Saint Francis Hospital is ringing in this bill as a victory.

“This is a tremendous win for the nurses at Saint Francis Hospital and for those nurses in the state of Delaware. Nurses have the right to feel safe in their work environment; whether in an emergency room setting or while performing their other duties throughout the hospital,” said Jennifer Kirby, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Nursing Officer of Saint Francis Hospital. “With the passing this bill, it is hopeful that the number of nurses who fall victim to assault should drastically reduce, and for that we are thankful.”