Pediatric Nurse Knocked Unconscious by 12‑Year‑Old: ‘None of Us Signed Up for This’

A pediatric nurse at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, New York, was reportedly knocked unconscious after being attacked by a 12-year-old patient earlier this year. The incident has sparked renewed concerns among staff about workplace safety and the growing number of children admitted to the hospital for behavioral and social issues rather than medical care.

The assault occurred on February 8 when the child reportedly became upset after a nurse removed a phone from his hospital room. According to individuals familiar with the incident, the child followed the nurse into the hallway of the pediatric unit and began punching her. The nurse was knocked to the ground and continued to be beaten until other staff members intervened and pulled the child away.

Hospitals Facing Increase in “Social Admissions”

The child involved in the incident had been brought to the hospital’s emergency department by caregivers who believed it was unsafe for him to remain at home and were unable to find alternative placement, according to sources.

Hospital staff say cases like this have become increasingly common. These patients are often referred to as “social admissions.” They are children who are admitted not because of a medical condition but due to behavioral issues, lack of safe housing, or the absence of appropriate community placements.

According to physicians and nurses at the hospital, these children may remain on pediatric medical units for weeks or even months while agencies attempt to find appropriate placements. Some reportedly stay for more than a year.

Because they are not receiving active medical or psychiatric treatment during much of their stay, hospitals often absorb the cost of their care. At Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, the annual cost associated with these cases is estimated at more than $1 million, according to hospital officials cited in reports.

Staff Describe Growing Safety Risks

Doctors and nurses at the hospital say the increasing number of behavioral cases has created significant safety challenges for staff working on units designed for medically ill children.

Several current and former staff members told sources that nurses have experienced injuries including bites, scratches, and physical assaults. Some reported being punched, kicked, or restrained by patients who were significantly larger or stronger than expected.

One pediatric physician, Dr. Matt Mittiga, said the issue escalated rapidly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When I began working there, it was rare,” Mittiga told syracuse.com. “But by 2021 it became constant.”

Mittiga said he repeatedly raised concerns with hospital leadership about the impact on both staff safety and patient care before leaving the hospital in 2024.

Violence Occurring on Units With Medically Fragile Children

Staff members say incidents involving behavioral patients sometimes occur on the same floors where children are recovering from surgery, receiving chemotherapy, or being treated for serious infections.

Mittiga described situations where rooms were damaged during violent outbursts while medically fragile patients were located nearby.

Nurses say these events can create stressful environments for both healthcare workers and patients receiving treatment.

Nationwide Shortage of Pediatric Behavioral Resources

Hospital leadership report the situation reflects a broader nationwide shortage of pediatric mental health services and residential treatment programs.

Dr. Christopher Lucas, who oversees pediatric psychiatry at Upstate, told syracuse.com that many of the children admitted to the hospital have complex behavioral or psychological needs but have no available placement options.

Some are brought to the hospital by parents or foster parents who feel they cannot safely manage the child at home. Others arrive through law enforcement or social service agencies.

Federal law under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) requires hospitals to provide a medical screening exam to anyone who presents to an emergency department. This means hospitals must evaluate patients before determining the appropriate next steps for care.

Lucas said children admitted under these circumstances often become frustrated during long hospital stays while waiting for placement.

“Most of the kids know that they’re in a hospital because people don’t want them,” Lucas told sources.

Safety Measures and Ongoing Concerns

Hospital staff previously attempted to introduce protective equipment for nurses, including helmets and protective sleeves. According to reporting, the equipment was later removed after state regulators determined it was designed for martial arts training rather than medical workplace protection.

Nurses and physicians have also requested increased security presence on units where violent patients are housed.

Upstate CEO Dr. Robert Corona said security is sometimes assigned to these cases and that the hospital plans to add additional security staff as hiring allows.

Hospital leaders told sources they are also reviewing existing safety protocols and exploring options for more specialized spaces or units for behavioral patients, though no specific timeline has been announced.

Hospital leaders say long-term solutions will require greater investment in community mental health programs and residential treatment centers for children with severe behavioral challenges.

Nurses Call for Change

In a letter to hospital administration following the February assault, pediatric physicians requested that violent behavioral cases no longer be placed on pediatric medical, surgical, and oncology units.

Some nurses say the situation has reached a point where staff safety and patient care are both at risk. “There’s not a nurse that has not witnessed or been physically pinched, kicked, hair pulled, or attacked,” one nurse told sources.

Another nurse described the emotional toll the environment has taken on staff. “None of us signed up for this,” the nurse said.

Healthcare leaders say addressing the issue will require collaboration between hospitals, social service agencies, and community mental health providers to ensure children receive appropriate care while also protecting frontline healthcare workers.

The situation remains under discussion among hospital administrators, clinicians, and community agencies. This incident highlights a growing challenge hospitals across the country are facing as healthcare workers navigate the intersection of medical care, behavioral health needs, and staff safety. 

What Nurses Should Know

Workplace violence in healthcare continues to be a growing concern across the United States, particularly in settings where patients may have complex behavioral or mental health needs. Nurses are often the frontline staff interacting most frequently with patients, which can place them at increased risk during behavioral escalations.

Healthcare leaders say addressing these challenges will require collaboration between hospitals, community mental health services, social service agencies, and policymakers. Expanding access to pediatric behavioral health resources and appropriate placement options could help reduce the number of children placed in hospital units not designed to manage violent behavior.

For nurses, many say the priority remains ensuring that both patients and healthcare workers can receive care and work in environments that are safe.

🤔Nurses, what do you think about this? Share your thoughts below.