PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — After two security guards were stabbed at Rhode Island Hospital on Friday, the local nurses’ union said its members are frustrated by patient privacy laws that may place them and their coworkers in physical danger.

United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) President Lynn Blais told 12 News hospital staff are not allowed to notify police when someone accused of assaulting their coworkers is discharged.

“To me, that makes no sense,” Blais said. “If you have a warrant for your arrest after being discharged, why can’t I notify you that this patient who assaulted multiple employees is being discharged from the hospital, so that police can pick them up when they leave the building?”

State law allows health care providers to disclose a limited amount of personal information about patients to law enforcement if something criminal happens at the hospital, but that does not include giving police a heads-up when a patient with a warrant leaves the campus.

“They tell us that violates the patient’s privacy,” Blais said. “But what about the health care workers’ rights?”

Violations of patient privacy carry a heavy penalty in Rhode Island under the Confidentiality of Health Care Communications and Information Act . According to that law, anyone who knowingly and intentionally violates it can be fined up to $5,000 and face up to six months in jail for each violation.

12 News crime analyst Steven O’Donnell said officers usually do not leave a hospitalized suspect’s side until they’re arraigned. However, if the suspect needs to stay for further treatment, police aren’t guaranteed to be there when that suspect is discharged.

“It’s a dicey situation,” O’Donnell remarked.

In a statement to 12 News, the Providence Police Department said its officers are aware of a patient’s status and will immediately transport the suspect after treatment is complete, adding that there are “protocols” for these types of incidents.

However, the police department did not explain how it keeps track of patients suspected of crimes, or how police are notified.

Rhode Island’s Office of the Attorney General is working with UNAP to compile a list of criminal assaults that took place in hospitals and track the outcomes, according to a spokesperson.

Blais said she plans to use the data to push for legislative change.

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