Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/842028
46 CMO / CARE DELIVERY OSHA Investigates Minnesota Hospital's ED in Wake of Patient Sexual Assault By Brian Zimmerman T he Minnesota Office of Safety and Health Administration initi- ated a review in May of emergency department operations at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview in Minneap- olis where a mentally disabled adolescent girl was sexually assaulted, according to a report from local news station KSTP. While an OSHA spokesperson confirmed to KSTP there is an ongo- ing investigation into possible safety issues in the ED at University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview, the individual did not say what precisely triggered the investigation. OSHA typically investigates hospitals if it receives complaints express- ing fear among staff and patients regarding the possible threat of work- place violence, according to KTSP. e hospital is also being investigat- ed by the Minnesota Department of Health regarding security issues in the mental health unit, according to the report. "Regulatory agency visits are part of the routine and important work all health systems do," wrote Fairview spokesperson Camie Melton Hanily in a statement provided to Becker's Hospital Review. "We are committed to working with patients and regulatory agencies regarding any questions they may have as quality and patient safety are of utmost importance." e hospital is currently facing a lawsuit filed by the parents of the ad- olescent girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted twice while in the ED last November. e teenage patient was fondled by another mentally ill patient, Jamal Strong, and the assault was captured on camera. While hospital staff entered the room and removed Mr. Strong, the lawsuit al- leges the attacker returned to the room on a second occasion and again assaulted the girl. Mr. Strong has since pleaded guilty to felony sexual assault, though he has yet to be sentenced due to concerns regarding his own mental health. In the wake of the incident, University of Minnesota Medical Cen- ter-Fairview has increased patient monitoring in the ED and enhanced video monitoring, among other changes, per a statement provided to Becker's. n 7 July 23-26, 2017 Washington, DC THE LEADING HEALTHCARE SUPPLY CHAIN CONFERENCE www.ahrmm17.org Attend AHRMM17 to network with 1,000+ hospital supply chain, materials management, and C-suite executives and discuss today's most pressing topics of coordinated care Discover new ideas, exchange best practices, and make connections that matter in the healthcare supply chain Beckers Healthcare Half Page July 2017.indd 1 6/1/2017 1:47:14 PM