Man commits suicide at south Florida hospital
Naples FL Jan 20 2019
A 76-year-old patient at a south Florida hospital killed himself with a gun Thursday and now the hospital is reviewing its safety and firearm policies.
The NCH hospital where that patient killed himself does not have a metal detector, but other security measures are in place, a hospital spokeswoman said.
No further information was released Friday about how the patient, Christian Deutz, was able to get a gun and shoot himself with it in his room at NCH Baker Hospital Downtown.
Eric Lucero, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Labor, said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened a “phone/fax investigation” into the incident at the hospital.
OSHA will describe the “alleged hazard” to hospital officials over the phone and follow up with a fax or letter, according to U.S. Department of Labor’s website.
NCH then will have to respond within five days, identifying in writing any problems found and noting corrective actions taken or planned because of the incident. If the response is adequate, OSHA generally will not conduct an inspection on site, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
In April 2018, NCH began new security measures at both of its hospitals, said NCH spokeswoman Debbie Curry.
NCH operates the NCH Baker Hospital Downtown, on Seventh Street North in Naples, and NCH North Naples Hospital, on Health Park Boulevard.
Individuals who aren’t staff members must present a driver’s license or identification card with a photo when they enter the hospitals, Curry said.
Each visitor is given a temporary ID pass that shows his or her photo and destination in the hospital. The temporary pass must be worn visibly throughout the visitor’s time in the hospital, Curry said.
NCH hospitals also have security cameras and security guards, Curry said.
Thursday’s incident at NCH Baker Hospital Downtown was isolated to the patient’s room, and no other patients, family members or employees were in danger or harmed, NCH spokesman Shawn McConnell said Thursday.
“This was a tragic event,” McConnell said via email. “Our staff responded and performed exceptionally under extreme circumstances. Our priorities now are to continue to deliver care to our patients and support our staff.”
Lt. Matthew Fletcher, a spokesman for the Naples Police Department, said several units responded to a call about an armed suicidal person at the hospital about 11 a.m. Thursday.
Fletcher said he was not sure which unit the patient was staying in at the hospital or how the man got the firearm. The suicide was still under investigation Friday afternoon, he said.
There was no threat to public safety before or after the suicide, and no part of the hospital was evacuated, Fletcher said.
When asked whether the suicide raised any safety concerns, Fletcher said security at the hospital is provided by NCH and that the Naples Police Department “regularly trains officers to respond to these types of calls.”
Marti Van Veen, a spokeswoman for Physicians Regional Healthcare System, did not answer when asked how her organization works to keep patients, employees and others safe from firearms and other weapons at hospitals.
Physicians Regional Healthcare System operates two hospitals in Collier County, including Physicians Regional-Pine Ridge and Physicians Regional-Collier Boulevard.
“We have security measures in place to support a safe and secure environment for our patients, visitors and staff, but do not publicly disclose the details of these precautions in the interest of safety,” Van Veen said via email.
Security officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Physicians Regional Healthcare System hospitals and officers do foot patrols of the buildings and grounds, Van Veen said.
Security also limits access to the buildings at night and on weekends, Van Veen said.
“We work with local law enforcement and conduct drills to prepare for potential scenarios and regularly review our security program to make adjustments as needed,” Van Veen said via email.
Shelisha Coleman, press secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration in Florida, said her organization is reviewing the suicide.
“We take our responsibility to hold facilities accountable for patient care very seriously,” Coleman said via email. “Our number-one priority has always been the health and safety of the residents and patients in the facilities that AHCA regulates.”
Because of patient privacy laws, Coleman said she could not comment on the specific case involving NCH and Deutz.
Monica Corbett, vice president of public affairs with the Florida Hospital Association, said the suicide brings attention to a nationwide crisis.
“Unfortunately, this tragedy underscores the urgency of addressing the nation’s mental health crisis and preventing violence in our communities,” Corbett said.
Since 2011, the Florida Hospital Association has convened hospital stakeholders to share evidence-based best practices to keep patients and employees safe, Corbett said.
Hospitals across the association routinely drill for emergency events and evaluate security protocol with accrediting organizations to develop plans that are tailored to meet the unique needs of their employees and community, Corbett said.
