Nurse Attacked by Patient in Israeli ER, Vows to Fight Violence

Neta-Lee Nuriel, a deputy head nurse in the emergency department at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera, was severely injured in the eye when a patient threw a drink bottle at her during a busy shift. The incident occurred while the medical team was treating numerous patients, highlighting the daily challenges faced by healthcare workers in Israel.

Nuriel described the terrifying moments of the attack, recounting the intense pressure she felt in her eye and temporary vision loss. Despite the trauma and fear, she returned to work, speaking out against the rising tide of violence directed at medical staff. She emphasized that while healthcare workers experience daily verbal and physical abuse, she never expected to be a victim herself.

"I come to treat patients, I come to help them, I don't need to experience violence," Nuriel stated tearfully, expressing her determination to stand up for her colleagues and other nurses. Her case represents the broader struggle of emergency room staff who must balance life-saving care with threats and physical assaults from patients and their escorts.

The attack underscores the immense pressure and heavy workload in emergency departments, particularly during trauma events. Staff must manage critical patients while also attending to a high volume of other cases, all amidst increasing violence against healthcare professionals in recent years. The suspect in the attack has been arrested, and an investigation is underway.