However, Elizabeth Sandford, 53, has a two-month jail term, suspended for 12 months, hanging over her head.

Sandford pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful assault and one count each of behaving in an offensive manner, offensive behaviour, indecent language, being drunk in a public place, assaulting police and using threatening words.

Ballarat Magistrates Court heard Sandford had taken a large amount of prescription medication, mixed with alcohol, in a failed suicide attempt on February 26 this year.

Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Kerry Bourke told the court Sandford was prescribed Narcan for the drug overdose by her doctor before being taken to BHS Base Hospital emergency department.

Sandford then became abusive and began yelling at the triage nurse, ripping posters off the walls, kicking and banging on a door and screaming obscenities.

Sen Const Bourke said security guards were headbutted and spat on and patients in the waiting room were taken into the emergency area for safety reasons.

Sandford also pushed a male nurse in the chest and spat in his face.

As she was being restrained in arm and leg shackles, she continued to swear and spat into the face of a police officer.

Sen Const Bourke said an elderly male patient in the bay next to her was moved after he became very distressed by her behaviour.

The court heard Sanford also threatened to bash a female nurse.

The security guards, male nurse and police officer had to be treated for exposure to bodily fluids.

Sen Const Bourke said on March 14 this year, police were also called to Rowland St, Sebastopol, where Sandford was found to be agitated and intoxicated.

After being taken to the police station, she spat on an acting sergeant.

Defence counsel Erin Ramsay said Sandford had "a myriad of difficulties" in her life, including agrophobia and anorexia.

Ms Ramsay said Sandford, who had a history of self-harm and suicide attempts, had no memory of the incident.

"She was shocked to hear the language she used and at how she behaved," Ms Ramsay said.

However, Magistrate Kay Robertson said her concern was for the effect she had on a number of other people in the emergency department.

"Without your plea of guilty I would have imposed an immediate custodial sentence," Ms Robertson said.