Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital to enhance security protocols after social worker fatally stabbed during attack
The San Francisco Department of Public Health on Monday said it will be making changes to strengthen safety at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital following the fatal stabbing of a social worker there last week.
On Thursday, the victim, whom his union has identified as Alberto Rangel, was stabbed in the hallway of Ward 86, the location of the HIV clinic at the hospital's main campus. Initially, the Sheriff's Office said Rangel was 31, but he was 51 years old.
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The Sheriff's Office is responsible for security at the hospital and a deputy was in a nearby room that day when he heard a disturbance and saw the patient in the hallway stabbing the worker with a kitchen knife.
On Monday, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office announced it was charging the suspect with murder. Prosecutors allege he went to Ward 86 with a concealed knife.
"(The suspect) appeared calm and engaged in a conversation with a social worker and was advised to leave," said the District Attorney's Office. "Allegedly he and the victim walked to the elevator together when he suddenly grabbed the victim from behind and stabbed him numerous times."
Rangel suffered wounds to the neck and shoulder. Medical staff performed lifesaving measures, including CPR, and he was taken to an operating room in critical condition, but later died.
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"This tragic loss requires decisive and immediate action," said San Francisco Public Health Director Daniel Tsai in a release sent out by his office Monday. "Alongside our internal investigation and review, and required reporting to state agencies, the external independent assessment will provide and unbiased and detailed understanding of where improvements are needed and how we can implement them quickly and effectively."
The Department of Public Health plans to install a weapons detection system for buildings 80 and 90, each of which contain wards including Ward 86, and restrict access to only one entrance.
The hospital will also beef up the presence of deputies -- the lack of which being something the San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs' Association said contributed to the tragedy -- in both buildings, will bring in security wands to use while the weapons detection system is being installed, and will work with the Sheriff's Office to enhance intervention protocols. The hospital will also strengthen security protocols for patients identified as a high-risk threat to staff safety.
Outside agencies are investigating what happened as well, such as the California Department of Public Health and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA.
