The former chief nursing officer of St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, Calif., is suing the hospital, alleging her requests to install barriers meant to prevent suicides were dismissed by leaders, the Los Angeles Times reported Sept. 3.
Nancy Valla, BSN, RN, was named chief nursing officer at St. Mary Medical Center, part of Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, in 2018. According to the report, two suicide deaths occurred at the facility in 2013 and 2019. The incidents prompted Ms. Valla to urge hospital officials to install a barrier or fencing at a tall structure on its campus to prevent future deaths — concerns she alleges in a lawsuit were "dismissed and disregarded" by hospital leaders, including the COO and CEO.
According to court documents cited by the news outlet, the COO said hospital officials decided not to install a barrier "because it would still not guarantee safety from an intentional attempt of self-inflicted harm," and another hospital staffer said similar structures in Long Beach did not have the enclosures. The California Department of Public Health issued a $50,000 fine in connection to the 2013 incident, saying the hospital did not properly assess the man at the emergency department or take proper precautions to prevent the suicide. The woman who died in 2019 was not a patient at the hospital.
In a statement shared with Becker's on Sept. 4, Christina Zicklin, a spokesperson for St. Mary Medical Center, said the hospital self-reported both events to the health department. After inspections, the department "found no deficiencies with the parking structures" and that the hospital was "in compliance with all applicable rules, ordinances and code." The hospital was never advised by any city or state agency to construct barriers, the statement said.
"We are disappointed by the recent L.A. Times article," the hospital said. "At St. Mary Medical Center, patient and visitor safety has always been our highest priority. When these types of incidents happen, which unfortunately they have at structures all across the country, not just at our hospital, we are all deeply affected and will always work to save the life of the person whenever possible, and to learn from the event."
In her lawsuit, Ms. Valla claims she was told a barrier would be too expensive and lead to questions that would make the hospital "look guilty," according to the Times. Retaliation and wrongful termination are among claims in the suit. Ms. Valla alleges she went on medical leave after hospital leaders exacerbated her distress related to the incidents.
Ms. Zicklin said Ms. Valla was not terminated and that she did not return after her medical leave.
Several years ago, medical staff at St. Mary Medical Center issued a no confidence note in Carolyn Caldwell, the CEO. The vote was related to the hospital severing ties with long-standing anesthesiologist providers, followed by a series of other departmental shake-ups over the past few years.
"CommonSpirit Health leadership continues to have every confidence in hospital president and chief executive officer, Carolyn Caldwell," the hospital said in its statement, noting a number of quality designations the hospital has received under Ms. Caldwell's leadership.