Multicare Auburn Medical Center Sued After Patient Went Missing

A patient with severe dementia went missing from the hospital in June 2024, being found nearly 12 hours later.

By Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor


Keeping patients safe is critical for healthcare facilities. The challenge is especially tough when it comes to patients who are prone to wandering.  

Consider the case of the family that is suing Multicare Auburn Medical Center in Washington after their relative with severe dementia went missing from the facility in June 2024, KIRO 7 reports. The lawsuit alleges hospital staff allowed the patient to leave unsupervised and then failed to act. No one from the medical center notified the family or authorities, and no Silver Alert was issued.  

The man was found nearly 12 hours later, 9 miles away, disoriented and injured, KIRO 7 reports. His attorney says the incident has worsened his condition. The hospital declined to comment. 

Related Content: Designing Senior Care Facilities with Veterans in Mind

Healthcare facilities managers can combine access control technologies with doors to create a system that ensures at-risk patients don’t leave. Electronic door locks can be configured with access codes, keycards or biometrics, which limit use to authorized personnel only. 

Access control systems can also track people who enter or exit a facility, enabling monitoring of vulnerable patients and making sure they don’t wander away. If a vulnerable patient were to leave, these systems can indicate how, when and where they left. That information also can help managers review security and monitoring systems if such an event happens. 

Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor of the facilities market. 



May 21, 2025


Topic Area: Safety , Security


Recent Posts

Furniture Selection Can Help Create Community in Senior Care Facilities

While predicting future resident needs is impossible, prioritizing choices is possible.


Texas HHSC Breaks Ground on New Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo

The 164,475-square-foot, 75-bed hospital is expected to be completed in 2027.


Weingart Towers in LA Sets Standard for Behavioral Health Projects

Strategic project management in the creation of behavioral health facilities can help transform well-meaning plans into tangible, lasting change.


Roper St. Francis Breaks Ground on New Hospital Campus

The project remains on track for a 2029 completion.


Griffin Health Improves Patient Safety and Prevents HAIs with Electronic Hand Hygiene System

Case study: The system is used in all patient units, including the emergency department and ambulatory services.


 
 


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.