A 12-year-old patient, Sarah Niyimbona, took her own life at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane, prompting the dismissal of fifteen nurses and discipline for another. Niyimbona, who had a history of suicide attempts, was left unsupervised after vital safety measures were removed. Her mother raised concerns about how Niyimbona was able to leave her room undetected. Hospital officials cited violations of patient privacy laws for the firings, while the nurses' union claimed retaliation for speaking out after the incident.
Fifteen nurses have since been fired, and another disciplined, amid questions over how Niyimbona was able to leave her room undetected.
The hospital allegedly removed key safety measures despite her history of self-harm - including a round-the-clock sitter, a video monitor and a door alarm.
I trusted this hospital to take care of my daughter, her mother said, expressing her distress over the lack of answers.
The Washington State Nurses Association claims the firings were retaliation against nurses who spoke to the media after Niyimbona's death.
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