Jefferson Abington Hospital (Image courtesy of Google StreetView)
In April 2024, an incident unfolded at Jefferson Abington Hospital involving a patient a security guard whose use of force has come under serious scrutiny, and was recently featured on NBC 10.
The patient, a 47-year-old woman named Julie, had been brought to the hospital during a psychiatric episode, according to the article. Barefoot and wrapped only in a blanket, Julie was calmly walking through the emergency department when she was abruptly confronted and pinned to the floor by a hospital security officer.
Surveillance footage of the event, obtained by The Inquirer, shows the guard aggressively restraining Julie, an act which Pennsylvania health inspectors later deemed an excessive use of force.at
Despite the state’s finding, Jefferson officials defended the guard’s actions, claiming he followed protocol because he believed Julie might try to leave the hospital. The guard reported that Julie had bitten him, leading to her being charged with criminal assault. Julie, said she had no memory of the incident and was stunned to learn about the charges when an arrest warrant arrived by mail, according to the article. She later pleaded guilty to a minor offense without knowing the full context, only to discover the security footage and the state citation months later.
An analysis by The Inquirer revealed that Jefferson Abington Hospital stood out for multiple citations involving aggressive conduct by security personnel, including unauthorized handcuff use and pursuing patients off hospital property.
Experts who reviewed the video criticized the guard’s approach, saying it contradicted best practices in crisis de-escalation. They emphasized that staff should avoid physical confrontation and instead use compassionate communication to redirect distressed patients. The guard’s actions—cornering Julie and pinning her to the ground—were seen as not only inappropriate, but potentially dangerous, especially given Julie’s vulnerable mental state, according to the article.
Julie, now coping with the trauma of the event, avoided medical care for months out of fear, according to the article. After her lawyer presented the video and the health department’s findings in court, prosecutors dropped the charges. Julie plans to pursue a civil lawsuit against Jefferson for battery, neglect, and unlawful restraint.
Read the full article here.
