Patient assaults staff with hypodermic needle at Essentia Health Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. — A woman has been charged after she allegedly assaulted nursing staff, a physician, and a police officer with a hypodermic needle.

According to officials, on Wednesday at 8:25 p.m. Police repsonded to reports of a patient assaulting staff  at the Essentia Health–Virginia Hospital

Upon arrival, Officers found the patient and physically struggled with her to gain control of the situation.

Officers were able to de-escalate and take the woman into custody.

Four medical staff sustained needle stick injuries, and one Virginia Police Officer was struck in the groin area during the incident.

The woman received medical care at the hospital and was then admitted to another hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

She is being charged with Second-Degree Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Second-Degree Assault on Emergency Medical Personnel, and Fourth-Degree Assault on a Peace Officer.

An Essentia Health spokesperson provided FOX21 with the following statement:

“Every member of our Essentia Health team deserves to feel safe in our facilities. This act of violence against members of our care team and law enforcement is unacceptable, and we’ve remained in close contact with those impacted to ensure they have the support they need. Workplace safety is our top priority, and we are constantly working to strengthen the processes and resources in place to advance that work. We’re grateful for the staff members who came to the hospital to ensure uninterrupted care for our patients, as well as Essentia security officers who were on-site and the Virginia Police Department for their immediate response.”