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Department of Health Services Finds Abuse in Prison Medical Unit
DHS Report Findings
After a series of on-sight investigative visits to Skilled Nursing Faciliy (SNF) located within the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, the Department of Health Services issued findings with included the following violations:
- Between January 20, 2002 and February 5, 2002 the facility failed to ensure that residents were treated with dignity and respect, failed to protect residents from alleged verbal abuse by an employee and failed to report alleged or suspected abuse to the DHS with 24 hours as required. During this period (1/20/02 and 2/5/02), 6 residents filed 602 grievances against a SNF nurse which “alleged rude, unprofessional and verbally abusive behavior... The facility presented no evidence that actions were taken at the time the allegations were made to prevent further incidents of this nature. [These] violations ..... had a direct or immediate relation to patient health, safety or security and therefore constitutes a Class “B” Citation.” Examples; Staff 1 failed to empty the catheter if Resident A and talked rudely to her, Staff 1 physically pushed Resident B not allowing her to pass by him, Resident G stated Staff 1 was abusive to all inmates and staff and continually disrupts the [SNF] with his rude and unprofessional behavior.
- Based on observation and staff and resident interview, “the facility failed to provide evidence of good care to skin for Resident C and personal grooming supplies for residents who used them.” Examples: Resident C is paraplegic with limited movement on her right hand. On 3/27/02 and 4/24/02, Resident C was observed to have a yellowish film with some caking on her left palm. Resident C complained on not being bathed properly.
- Based on observation, staff interview and record review, “the facility failed to implement an activity program on a routine basis [and] failed to routinely clean articles, walls, and furniture” On DHS visits conducted on 3/27/02 and 4/24/02, residents were observed in their rooms or in the courtyard and not in any type of organized activity. The facility failed to implement the activity program on an ongoing basis for all the residents.
- On a DHS visit conducted on 4/24/02 “Room 33, an isolation room, had dust on the window sill, cobwebs on the left corner from the entrance, and visible liquid stains on various parts of the wall. Room 30 had dust on the bed frame, window sill, and resident’s TV. Resident reported that staff fail to do a good job of housekeeping.”
To find out more about the history of the struggle to end the abuse of women prisoners in the SNF, refer to the "Read More" section below, or contact Heidi Strupp at 415-255-7036 ext. 321 or heidi@prisonerswithchildren.org.
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