The citation relates to a June 13 incident in which staff members at the nonprofit psychiatric hospital discovered a patient lying on the bathroom floor after attempting to swallow a plastic bag. The patient, who was previously deemed at a “moderate risk” for suicide, obtained the plastic bag from a locked trash can in the unit.
Regulators placed the hospital on “immediate jeopardy” status July 25 after discovering several issues relating to self-harm risks and patient restraint practices. CMS lifted this status within a few hours, after the hospital removed all plastic bags from the facility’s trash cans. The hospital had previously only removed the plastic bags from the specific unit where the incident occurred, according to Meghan Baston, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer at Brattleboro Retreat.
The hospital has since submitted a full plan of correction to CMS. Health officials revisited the facility in September and deemed it in compliance with all federal standards.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
Guidelines on community-acquired pneumonia updated
DC hospital goes 1 week without running water amid Legionnaires’ threat
DC hospital goes 11 days without running water
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.