Temple Hospital nurses renew calls for enhanced security after shooting near emergency room
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The effects of a weekend shooting outside Temple Hospital's emergency room continue to weigh on nurses and staff who were there, as some employees renew calls for additional safety measures.
No patients, staff or visitors were involved in the shooting, according to the hospital; however, emergency room nurse Erin Pastore said the incident created a chaotic and frightening scene.
Pastore knows that working in Temple Hospital's emergency department comes with challenges that other hospitals may not have, including concerns about gun violence.
Those concerns came into sharp focus Sunday morning when two shooters opened fire on a car parked across the street from the emergency room entrance.
READ MORE | Shooting outside Temple University Hospital emergency room caught on surveillance video
"It just became chaotic," Pastore said. "Everybody was running in one direction."
Moments later, one of the shooting victims entered the emergency room.
"Next thing I know he's standing next to me," Pastore said. "He's shot, and I say, 'Was he patted down?' And next thing I know I'm patting down this gentleman, saying, 'Please tell me if you have a weapon.'"
Security concerns have been a longstanding issue for the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), which raised the matter ahead of contract negotiations last year.
The union and Temple Hospital reached an agreement in October that included the addition of three specialized security officers.
"They do have a higher level of training. Some of them are ex-military, ex-police, which I think is a great addition to have," said Marie Lopresti, a PASNAP union representative.
Still, nurses and staff members say they want a greater police presence in the emergency department and more training for employees.
"We need a comprehensive, better security program overall," Lopresti said.
In a statement, Temple Hospital pointed to existing security measures, including weapon detection systems at all public entrances and a dedicated police presence available around the clock.
The hospital said Sunday's shooting was an isolated incident that did not involve patients, staff or visitors.
"We are thankful for the immediate response of both law enforcement and our staff who followed established protocol to ensure the safety of their colleagues and everyone in our care," the statement said.
For Pastore, the incident underscored the risks nurses face while doing their jobs.
"We are in danger all the time here," she said.
The nurses' union said it wants discussions about safety to continue and has requested another meeting with Temple Hospital officials.
