HospitalInspections.org

Based on a review of facility documents, security video surveillance, medical records (MR), and staff interview (EMP), it was determined that the facility failed to ensure staff only provided the degree of force needed to maintain safety for one of one medical record reviewed (MR1).

Findings include:

On August 19, 2022, review of facility policy "Security Use of Force" effective January 1, 2022, revealed "Policy Statement: Security officers are permitted to use only the amount of force that is reasonable and necessary to control a situation and prevent harm to patients, staff, and visitors ... Roles/Responsibilities - Level 3 Soft Empty Hand - techniques that involve minimal contact along with minimal chance of injury to a subject. This can include redirection, physical guidance, restraining or the use of immobilizing techniques to avoid injuries. Level 4 Hard Empty Hand - Techniques that involve significant use of force to overcome a subject's resistance. This can be hand strikes, leg strikes, pressure points etc. Use of these techniques should be limited and only applied to prevent serious risk of bodily harm or injury.

On August 19, 2022, review of Patient Entry Report Focus Study: Allegation of Mistreatment submitted by EMP4 on August 11, 2022, at 8:22 PM for incident that occurred August 11, 2022, at 5:00 PM revealed, "Patient (Pt) attempted to leave pt's room during seclusion when pt door was opened to hand pt a urinal. Security responded and began to push pt into the room. Pt ended up on the floor and a security member jumped on top of him and put knee in the middle of pt back. More security members began to grab pt and a security member then held him down by pressing knee onto pt's neck. Another security member held pt's head into the ground. They were extremely rough with him and pt had not been aggressive towards anyone, pt had been trying to elope from pt room. This was an extreme safety risk and pt could have been seriously injured."

On August 19, 2022, observation of security surveillance video of incident that occurred on August 10, 2022, at 7:55 AM revealed, "Pt was sitting on floor in front of room and EMP5 began to assist pt up from sitting position and into room while attempting to transport pt into room EMP5 was holding pt's left arm and forcibly grabbed pt by the back of the neck in a manner that appeared to be a tight grip shoving the neck in a forward motion. EMP6 was holding the pt's right arm to transport patient into the room. While both security offers where walking patient on each side EMP7 came to the front of the pt and grabbed the patient by the head and hair pulling head forward. During transition of patient, it was not noted in the video the patient being violently aggressive toward the security staff."

On August 19, 2022, interview with EMP7 at 1:18 PM, EMP7 stated, "I tried to grab his head and grab one of his dreads." When asked why EMP7 grabbed the patients head and hair, EMP7 stated, "It was the only part I could grab at the time." When asked if EMP7 had training on what specific areas to grab a hold of to get a person in control, he replied that he didn't know if there are parts he shouldn't grab.