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500 WEST BERKELEY STREET

UNIONTOWN, PA 15401

USE OF RESTRAINT OR SECLUSION

Tag No.: A0154

Based in a review of facility documents and staff interviews (EMP), it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that appropriate restraints were used on a patient.

Findings include:

Review of facility policy "Uniontown Hospital Police Department, Policy and Procedure Statement, reviewed, February 2012. ... Handcuffs: Handcuffs are considered mechanical restraints that are used for temporary restraining arrested subjects. ... ."

Review of "Bill of Rights, Reviewed February 2012, ... 8. You have the right not to be subjected to any harsh or unusual treatment. ... ."

1) Interview with EMP5, June 21, 2012, at approximately 3:30 PM revealed, "The control center received a call about the Behavioral Health Unit. I started up. I heard the code being sounded overhead. When I got to the floor, I went towards the safe room, but was told to come in right away. Two staff persons were on the floor bleeding. Someone pointed to a patient and indicated that [patient] was the one. [Patient] was standing there, I went over and put the handcuffs on [patient]. [Patient] did not resist. I put the cuffs on for safety. When the second officer came up, I put [patient] in the officer's custody." When asked if the patient was placed under arrest, EMP5 responded, "No."