Patient jumps from window; St. Luke’s Bethlehem found not safety compliant

A Pennsylvania Department of Health review says that St. Luke’s University Hospital-Bethlehem (Pa.) was not compliant with certain safety regulations after a patient jumped out of the hospital’s window in June, according to a WFMZ 69 News report.

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The patient, who had been hospitalized following a motorcycle accident, died after jumping from a 6th floor hospital window. The patient’s family members told WFMZ 69 News that they believe the jump was an attempt to escape the hospital and go “home and get back to life.”

An investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania DOH says that the hospital failed to maintain a safe environment for a patient identified with impulse control disorder and one with depression. It also failed to provide justification for medication as a chemical restraint for one of the two restraint records reviewed.  

St. Luke’s issued a statement with regards to the report stating, among other things, “St. Luke’s immediately completed and instituted action plans that have met the DOH’s requirements and approval,” according to the report.

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