(CORALVILLE) Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections say s staff member was assaulted by a patient at the Iowa Medical Classification Center in Coralville, at approximately 10:00 a.m. Friday.

The staff member, a nurse, was working at her computer terminal when the patient entered the office and began hitting her multiple times with a closed fist. Correctional officers and other staff in the area responded and took control of the patient once they heard noises coming from the office.

The staff member was sent by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic in Iowa City. They were released from the hospital to the care of family later the same day. The incident remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.