A community hospital in the Midwest faced a serious workplace violence incident when a white security guard physically struck an elderly Black patient with existing medical conditions.
The altercation escalated while the patient was being physically restrained from trying to leave the hospital against medical counsel, leading to injuries and concerns from the patient’s family, hospital leadership and staff.
Aware that the incident could gain media traction as a racially charged story, the hospital turned to Jarrard for crisis communications support to manage messaging, mitigate risk and maintain stability between all parties involved.