Man in custody after stabbing incident at Provident Hospital in Chicago, officials report

CHICAGO (WLS) — Two staff members were injured in a stabbing incident at a South Side hospital on Monday afternoon, officials said.

Chicago police were called to Provident Hospital on East 51st Street in the Bronzeville neighborhood just after 1 p.m. The hospital specified that the incident took place in its emergency department.

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A male of an unknown age took out a sharp object and stabbed a 56-year-old man in the chest area, police said.

Provident Hospital said the suspect was a patient, and the 56-year-old victim is a staff member.

The patient also injured a second staff member, the hospital said, but did not provide further information about how they were hurt.

Police said the 56-year-old was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.

The hospital said its security team acted quickly, but what led up to the stabbing was not immediately clear.

The patient was taken into custody, and area detectives are investigating.

In response, the hospital released a statement addressing the rise in violence against healthcare workers and emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe environment for all. The statement highlighted that beyond physical harm, such incidents have a negative impact on the emotional and psychological well-being of the healthcare team, ultimately affecting the quality of care provided to patients. The hospital affirmed its commitment to delivering excellent care while recognizing the need for healthcare settings to be secure spaces for both patients and providers.