Personal Injury Law

Patient Abuse in Healthcare Facilities

Abuse of patients in medical or mental facilities is a major problem in the United States. Our attorneys frequently handle cases in which patients have suffered physical or sexual abuse at the hands of facility staff or other patients. These cases are extremely disturbing as the victims are usually some of the most vulnerable and helpless members of society.

A recent article in the Los Angeles times focused upon this issue. According to the article, Psychiatric Solutions Inc. was on its way to becoming the nation's leading provider of private psychiatric care when it purchased Sierra Vista Hospital in Sacramento, Californis in 2005.

The company put its tested business formula into action: Staffing fell. Beds filled up. Profits soared . While the results made investors happy, for some patients, federal records revealed that for patients it proved dangerous and at times deadly.

Incidents revealed in federal reports include that involving Ramona Knapp, 51, who was left fatally brain damaged after hospital workers restrained her improperly, pinning her to the floor.

In March 2007, a 29-year-old woman was mistakenly given six times the prescribed dose of a potent antipsychotic drug. Even after 15 hours, she was too weak to swallow.

The records show that Seven Burton, 55, checked into Sierra Vista Hospital for treatment of alcohol abuse and depression. Upon admission, complained of chest pains. The intake nurse didn't notify a doctor because, as she later told regulators, "he didn't look sick."

Burton was discovered the next morning, facedown on the floor of his room, shaking and sweating. Hospital staff members place him back in bed and paged a psychiatrist, getting no response. Two and a half hours later, a nurse found him blue and not breathing.

An investigation by ProPublica, a public interest news organization, revealed that these incidents at Sierra Vista Hospital are among numerous others involving abuse and neglect at PSI facilities nationwide,
PSI hospitals often fare worse than comparable private hospitals in meeting government standards for patient care, according to an analysis of state and federal inspection reports.

Unfortunately, these incidents are not confined to California or PSI hospitals. Our firm is currently pursuing legal action on behalf of two clients who were assaulted while in mental health facilities here in Georgia. If you or a loved one has been the victim if abuse or assault in a hospital, nursing home, or mental health facility, legal representation should be sought immediately.

Full post as published by Georgia Injury Lawyer Blog on November 24, 2008 (boomark / email).