The patient who fatally shot himself in January at NCH Baker Hospital Downtown in Maples, Fla., may have gotten the weapon when a visitor brought him a bag with other belongings in it, according to an article on the Naples Daily News website.
After the man's death, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened an “alleged workplace hazard” investigation into whether employees of NCH were exposed to workplace violence due to patients carrying firearms into the facility.
NCH was required to fax or mail a response to OSHA by Jan. 28 as part of the investigation. The hospital faxed a response letter on Jan. 24 listing a number of safety precautions it had in place when the shooting happened.
None of the precautions listed in NCH’s response to OSHA included checking bags or belongings of visitors before allowing them to enter the hospital. The hospital is considering policy changes.
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