Pennsylvania hospital gives up stun guns after wrongly using one on patient

Taser used to subdue a patient who was on suicide watch and became threatening and aggressive


UPMC Pinnacle Hanover Hospital in Hanover, Pa., has been cited by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for using a taser to subdue a patient who was on suicide watch and became threatening and aggressive toward nurses and a security officer, according to an article on the Penn Live website.

The health department cited the hospital for using the taser “as a healthcare intervention” rather than a law enforcement tool, and for failing to ensure all lesser forms of force were tried first.

The patient had became combative, breaking a clothing locker, kicking a nurse and tearing off the nurse’s badge, and threatening to hurt staff, the health department said.

The health department placed an “immediate jeopardy” designation on UPMC Pinnacle Hanover, meaning the department believed the willingness to use a taser in such a situation put all patients at risk. 

Read the article.



June 18, 2019


Topic Area: Security


Recent Posts

Probiotic Cleaners: The Start of a Cleaning Revolution?

Advantages of probiotic cleaning include fewer resistant genes and cost savings through decreased antibiotic use.


Gun Incident Highlights Need for Security Infrastructure

A man was arrested at Aultman Memorial Hospital after allegedly firing a gun in the ER.


Creative Solutions in Healthcare Acquires 5 Skilled Nursing Facilities

Each location is planned to begin substantial upgrades to infrastructure and resident services.


Over 700 Hospitals at Risk of Closure

Hospitals are citing financial problems at the main cause of potential closure.


Astrana Health Fully Acquires Prospect Health

They completed the acquisition of Prospect Health for a total purchase price of $708 million.


 
 


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.