Clifton Springs Nurse Advocates for Healthcare Worker Safety Following Assault
Clifton Springs, N.Y. – Following an assault at Clifton springs Hospital on August 18th, nurse Ehren Strohm is joining a growing chorus of healthcare workers demanding increased protections against workplace violence. Strohm was allegedly kicked in the knee by Alyna Ann Lindenau, 30, while working in the hospital’s emergency department.The force of the kick reportedly caused a knee injury, leaving Strohm currently on crutches, out of work, and awaiting a diagnosis and workers’ compensation claim.
The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office reports Lindenau was initially arrested at a Hopewell Byrne Dairy on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and later transported to Clifton Springs Hospital for evaluation.She now faces additional charges of assault and aggravated harassment of an employee in Erie County, and is currently being held in the Ontario County Jail.Authorities state Lindenau has a history of prior interactions wiht law enforcement.
Strohm expressed shock and distress over the attack, stating, “It’s very hard to process why someone woudl purposely hurt you.”
The incident has highlighted a broader concern about escalating violence against healthcare workers. Dixie Kendall,a nurse who previously sustained injuries in a similar attack,emphasized the prevalence of the issue. “In all ERs I’ve ever worked in, there has been this type of problem,” she said, adding that the safety of both staff and patients is at risk.
Kendall and Strohm are advocating for systemic changes, including revisions to hospital policies and legal frameworks. They recently contacted State Senator Pamela Helming (R-Canandaigua) to address the issue.
Senator Helming, along with other lawmakers, introduced the PROTECT Act (Pretrial Risk Overview for Threat Evaluation, Custody and Treatment) in January. Currently in committee, the bill aims to require courts to assess a defendant’s risk to public safety and potential for reoffending.Helming stated the legislation is a crucial step towards ensuring safety for all New Yorkers, saying, “The PROTECT Act is a commonsense solution that gives judges a critical tool to evaluate whether violent offenders shoudl be held in jail before trial.”
Strohm emphasized the need for respect and safety for healthcare professionals, stating, “It’s time to stand up and to say that this is not OK, and that we will be respected and we will not get hurt.”
13WHAM News is scheduled to speak with a Rochester Regional Health representative on Wednesday to discuss the system’s plans for protecting its staff from escalating violence.
