7 security lapses in 8 months at University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview

Brian Zimmerman -

University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview in Minneapolis has experienced seven patient security mishaps since November 2016 with the most recent occurring on June 4, according to a report from Minnesota Daily.

Each of the instances involved mental health patients. In response, a lawsuit has been filed, the state Office of Safety and Health Administration launched an investigation, The Joint Commission started a nonroutine survey of the facility and CMS has conducted two investigations.

Here are six things to know about the incidents and the response.

1. On Nov. 9, 2016, a 15-year-old, mentally disabled female patient was sexually assaulted in the emergency department after 29-year-old Jamal Strong, another mental health patient, allegedly entered the girl's room twice within an hour. Mr. Strong has since pled guilty to felony sexual assault.

2. In December 2016, a 13-year-old male patient escaped from the hospital after being escorted out of the secure wing of the child behavioral health unit. He was found by Minneapolis police more than 30 minutes later. Two days prior to being escorted out of the secure unit, the boy had attempted suicide, according to the report.

3. Another security event occurred on April 26 when a mental health patient forced through a magnetic door and escaped. Attempts to fix the door failed to prevent three more patients from escaping the same way four days later, according to Minnesota Daily, bringing the total number of incidents to six.

4. The most recently reported security event occurred on June 4, when another behavioral health patient escaped from the hospital. The patient was found 30 minutes later at a nearby restaurant, according to the report.

5. After the December escape, CMS launched an investigation into the hospital and issued a citation, finding the hospital's negligence to be "an immediate jeopardy to the health and safety of patients," according to a Dec. 12 CMS statement cited by Minnesota Daily. The hospital promptly responded with a plan of correction and the citation was removed.

6. The most recent CMS investigation was conducted on June 1. The Joint Commission conducted its own on-site evaluation on June 2. Results of these investigations remain under review, according to Minnesota Daily.

"Regulatory and accrediting agency visits are part of the routine and important work all health systems do," said Fairview spokesperson Camie Melton Hanily in a statement emailed to Becker's Hospital Review. "Fairview Health Services is committed to working with patients and all agencies regarding any questions they may have as quality and patient safety are of utmost importance. We strive to ensure the safety of every patient we serve and provide exceptional care. When we become aware of a patient safety issue, we investigate promptly, look for ways to improve our policies and procedures and take other appropriate actions as the circumstances warrant."

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