Killing of Hospital Worker Raises Questions on Safety

California officials and health workers are calling for increased safety protections at psychiatric hospitals after a patient with mental illness allegedly killed a psychiatric technician at Napa State Hospital over the weekend. The California Association for Psychiatric Technicians said it is pushing for changes in how hospitals protect workers.

• "State Mental Hospital Worker Was Robbed, Strangled" (Lee, San Francisco Chronicle, 10/26).
• "Inquiry Continues Into Concord Woman's Slaying at Napa Mental Hospital" (Salonga/Fraley, Contra Costa Times, 10/25).
• "California State Hospital Worker is Slain on the Job" (Romney, Los Angeles Times, 10/25).