Ohio Lawmakers Demand Stronger Safety Measures at OSU Wexner Medical Center
Ohio lawmakers are urging the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to strengthen safety protocols after a nurse was assaulted earlier this month.
In a joint statement released on Nov. 21, Rep. Allison Russo of Upper Arlington — currently running for Secretary of State and State Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) called on the medical center to implement stronger, clearer security measures to protect both healthcare workers and patients.
The demand follows a Nov. 6 incident in which a postpartum nurse was reportedly choked by a man who was holding a newborn baby during a dispute with the child’s mother. According to the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA), the nurse intervened and was assaulted before OSU police arrested the man. He now faces charges including assault, violating a protection order, and unlawful restraint, per Franklin County Municipal Court records.
The ONA accused hospital administrators of downplaying the severity of the attack and failing to follow proper post-incident procedures. OSU Wexner Medical Center later acknowledged that critical notification steps were missed, delaying support services for the affected nurse and staff until the next morning. The hospital stated that efforts are underway to prevent future lapses.
In their letter, Russo and DeMora pointed out that workplace violence has become a pressing concern, noting that the Wexner Medical Center has already recorded 402 violent incidents in 2024, most of them involving staff assaults.
The lawmakers urged the hospital board to:
• Improve surveillance and preserve incident footage
• Review and strengthen security protocols
• Increase security presence in high-risk units
• Continue negotiations with nurses and union leaders on violence-prevention policies
“It is unacceptable that our nurses are not adequately protected,” DeMora said in an email accompanying the letter. “Our healthcare workers must feel safe so they can focus on delivering high-quality care.”
As of Nov. 21, OSU Wexner Medical Center had not responded to a request for comment.
The issue reflects a nationwide rise in violence against healthcare workers, and staff at Wexner say such incidents are increasing while often going unaddressed by leadership.
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