As seen in this report from WoodTV.com in Michigan
Eleven more Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital employees have been suspended as part of an ongoing investigation, the state says, and police are now investigating allegations of the assault of a patient.
A total of 28 workers have now been suspended with pay for “alleged violation of patient rights,” Michigan Department of Community Health spokeswoman Jennifer Smith told 24 Hour News 8 Thursday. That number is up from 17 on Oct. 9. The state has not released specifics surrounding the alleged violation or violations.
And the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is investigating whether employees’ actions were criminal, Chief Jeff Hadley told 24 Hour News 8 Thursday. KDPS said its officers served a search warrant as part of an investigation into the possible assault of a patient.
Hadley said there were 19 alleged incidents involving 16 employees and only one patient. He said the incidents happened as long ago as June, but it’s unclear over how long a period of time they occurred. Hadley said the incidents were reported within the first two weeks of October.
MDCH says it is cooperating with the KDPS investigation.
The state’s Office of Recipient Rights is also investigating the allegations.
Smith also said the state is working to fill leadership positions at the facility that were vacated earlier this year in connection to allegations of neglect linked to the death of a patient. That case is separate from the recent suspensions.
Smith admitted to 24 Hour News 8 on Oct. 9 that there is a “culture problem” at the hospital, which employs around 500 people, that the state is working to fix. The acting director of the facility is working to educate employees, Smith said.
There is currently a hold on new admissions to the hospital. The admissions office is taking information for potential admittance and callers with questions are being referred to the acting director.
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