Faulty door blamed for death at Minnesota healthcare facility

A woman in a wheelchair tumbled down a stairway behind a door with a faulty lock


A faulty door at the Wildflower Lodge healthcare facility in Maple Grove, Minn., is being blamed for the death of a woman in a wheelchair who tumbled down a stairway, according to an article on the Star Tribune website.

For at least three years, the stairway door wouldn’t lock without extra attention, according to a state investigation. Repair orders went unfilled, even with signs on the door alerted staff to the problem.

According to findings from a state Health Department investigation, "direct care staff, maintenance staff, nurses and management were all aware that ... the door [was] not operating as intended, but no new interventions were put in place” to have it fixed.

Rather, the report read, signs were affixed to the door directing staff to “double check that door is locked before you walk away” and “wait for the click, 20-second delay for the lock to engage.”

Read the article.

 

 



August 21, 2017


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

The Role of Positive Distraction in Pediatric Design

Positive distraction by itself does not heal, but it can aid the healing process by addressing the mental well-being of an individual.


Healthcare Waste is Fueling America's Debt

As healthcare spending surpasses $5 trillion annually, facility leaders are under pressure to confront operational inefficiencies head-on.


Prairie Lakes Healthcare System to Rebrand Following Sanford Health Merger

The transition of name and branding will occur in phases beginning in late June and is part of the “Together for Good” journey.


How Digital Technologies Are Reshaping Performance in Healthcare Facilities

AI can hyper-optimize hospital operations, change the patient experience and make data-driven intelligence a foundation of hospital design.


The Role of Plumbing in Healthcare-Associated Infections

Water and plumbing systems are a dangerous source of pathogens and bacteria, so the CDC has created a set of guidelines to develop a proper water management program.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.