A patient choked a nurse due to delays in discharge, say police

Inset: Mykeisha Johnson (Jefferson County Jail). Background: University of Louisville hospital (Google Maps).

A patient at a Kentucky hospital became so enraged at the discharge process taking too long that she allegedly choked a nurse.

Mykeisha Johnson, aged 35, was a patient at the University of Louisville Hospital’s third floor. She was scheduled to be discharged on Saturday, but she grew increasingly frustrated with the length of time it was taking. Seizing an opportunity when a nurse passed by her room during her rounds, Johnson launched an attack.

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Reports from a police document obtained by local Fox affiliate WDRB stated that surveillance footage captured Johnson choking the nurse, throwing her to the ground, and repeatedly hitting her in the face. Staff members intervened and managed to separate Johnson from the nurse.

Johnson claimed that the nurse was not the cause of the delay but was “the first person available” for her to express her frustration. The nurse was taken to the emergency room with complaints of pain in her neck, the back of her head, leg, abdomen, and shoulder. Although she remained conscious throughout the assault, she mentioned being in shock and having difficulty recollecting all the details, as per the affidavit.

The hospital released the following statement to local media outlets:

“UofL Health does not tolerate any violence or abuse against its staff, patients, or visitors. LMPD has made an arrest and is handling the investigation. Our employee was treated and released.”