Frank Brown’s family went to the hospital to pick him up from the hospital’s eighth floor on the day of his discharge, but the man never came to met them, according to the report.
“My understanding is the hospital personnel is supposed to release the patient to the family. That never happened,” Robert Gibson, DC, a lawyer who also is a chiropractor, told First Coast News. “And to allow this man, who is physically and mentally challenged, to walk away is absurd.”
Baptist is cooperating with the police in the investigation of what happened to Mr. Brown, the organization said in a statement to First Coast News. The statement also describes the hospital’s discharge policy as the following:
“For the care and safety of our patients, once a physician order has been verified we contact the patient and/or caregiver of an impending discharge. Before release, the patient and/or caregiver are also provided a copy of discharge instructions regarding their future medical care needs. Patients have the option of being escorted to their mode of transportation.”
According to the report, anyone with information on where Mr. Brown is located is urged to call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500.
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