“The question arises: How did the assailant manage to bring a weapon into the hospital? It’s a chilling thought – had it been a firearm, the outcome could have been tragically different,” - Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Employee
By: Ricard L. Smith
Newark Police are actively continuing to investigate the circumstances of a violent stabbing incident that occurred at a South Ward hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on Friday morning.
A woman entered the medical facility and attacked three medical professionals, causing concern over security measures at the facility.
According to a statement released by hospital administration, the situation unfolded at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center when a domestic dispute between two visitors to the Pediatric ICU escalated into violence at around 6:50 a.m.
Hospital officials confirmed that three staff members were slashed during the altercation, but fortunately, no hospital patients or family members were harmed.
Quick action by Newark Beth Israel Medical Center security officers and the Newark Police Department led to the arrest of the suspect, 37-year-old Ms. Firdousi A. Abdul-Hakim.
Professional hospital security were credited for acting swiftly, preventing what could have been a far more dire situation.
Authorities have revealed that Abdul-Hakim was at the hospital to visit an acquaintance who was a patient. The two nurses and one medical resident who sustained injuries in the attack were transported to the emergency department with non-life-threatening injuries.
One of the victims was taken to University Hospital for treatment.
While hospital officials maintain that patient and staff safety is their top priority, some employees have expressed concerns about security lapses at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
They question the adequacy of metal detectors and other screening measures in place to protect them from potentially volatile patients and visitors.
Speaking anonymously, one medical professional stated that while Friday's attack was rare, there have been other incidents that have put hospital staff on edge. They emphasized the need for better security measures, citing the potential for more severe consequences if a more dangerous weapon had been involved.
"Three of our fellow healthcare worker colleugues were violently attacked while just simply caring for critically ill children."
Newark Police characterized the weapon as a 'cutting implement,' yet it remains unclear whether Abdul-Hakim had the sharp object in her possession during the domestic dispute or if it was a medical tool within the hospital.
Abdul-Hakim has been charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Assault and Possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.