Hospital dismisses 15 nurses following minor's suicide under their watch, according to news sources
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a 12-year-old girl named Sarah Niyimbona lost her life at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane, Washington, on April 13. The circumstances surrounding her death have sparked a series of allegations against the hospital staff, with a lawsuit being filed due to the tragic incident.
Sarah, who had been receiving intermittent psychiatric care for self-harm and suicidal behavior, slipped out of her pediatric hospital room undetected on the night of her death. The safety measures, such as alarms and continuous supervision, were either malfunctioning or removed, allowing her to walk about a quarter mile to the fourth floor of the hospital parking garage where she tragically jumped.
The family's lawsuit accuses the hospital of failing to properly utilize and monitor alarms, inadequately supervising Sarah despite her known risk, and removing safety measures, such as a sitter, without informing the family. The staff has also criticized that the hospital closed its specialized children’s psychiatric center months earlier, leaving the pediatric unit ill-equipped to care adequately for psychiatric patients like Sarah.
The incident has led to ongoing investigations and a grievance filed by the fired nurses through their union, citing retaliation after raising concerns about patient safety and care quality. Fifteen nurses were dismissed from their positions, and one was disciplined following an investigation into how Sarah was able to leave her room undetected.
In a poignant tribute, a GoFundMe page was set up in memory of Sarah, describing her as a "shining light" who "touched the hearts of everyone she met." The hospital management, Providence, has not yet released a public statement regarding the allegations.
[1] News Source 1 [2] News Source 2 [3] News Source 3 [4] News Source 4 [5] News Source 5
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