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

Why Healthcare Facilities Management Is Critical to Patient Safety 

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities rely on much more than doctors and nurses to keep patients safe.


Brookdale Senior Living Announces Acquisition of the Brookdale Galleria Community

The 244-unit independent living and assisted living community is located directly adjacent to The Galleria shopping and entertainment complex.


Erlanger Health System Falls Victim to Data Breach

Erlanger has no evidence of any improper use of the information because of this incident.


Technological Readiness: The Missing Construction Milestone

A new building can be complete by most measures but still not be technologically or operationally ready.


From Cooling Towers to Cost Savings: Hospital Seizes Power-Saving Opportunity

Case study: Arkansas hospital increases energy efficiency by diagnosing cooling tower issues and treating its entire mechanical system.


 
 


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.