Penn Medicine hospital cited for failing to investigate patients' abuse complaints

The Pennsylvania Health Department cited Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital for failing to report and adequately investigate complaints of two patients who said a hospital employee touched them in a sexual way, according to PennLive.com.

The health department started investigating after one of the patients apparently went to police, who then arrested 30-year-old Shawn Moyer, a pulmonary therapist at the hospital, Nov. 8. Mr. Moyer was charged with abuse of a care-dependent person, indecent assault, indecent exposure and invasion of privacy.

The health department made an unannounced visit to the hospital, part of Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine, several days after Mr. Moyer's arrest and quickly declared patients to be in immediate jeopardy. After the hospital made plans and assurances to improve investigations of patient complaints, the health department removed the immediate jeopardy designation.

As part of the hospital's plan of correction, it is creating a team of four executives, with one available at all times, to receive reports of patient abuse and ensure an appropriate response. The hospital also promised to train staffers on how to respond to reports of patient abuse and notify appropriate authorities.

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