February 19, 2013
A report released yesterday by Disability Rights Texas stated that numerous mistakes had led to patients in the state’s psychiatric hospitals being put at serious risk of neglect and abuse. According to an article published in a recent issue of the Austin American-Statesman, the state has also failed to properly investigate these claims.
The report indicates that the Department of State Health Services hired five physicians with histories of inappropriate sexual behavior with patients, but then failed to properly supervise the individuals. One doctor in particular had several claims of sexual abuse against a child patient brought against him over the past two decades, but investigators admitted to blowing the allegations off due to the mental disabilities those who made the claims suffered from. Investigators stated they believed the mental states of the individuals filing the claims made them unreliable.
While the state argues that some changes have been made to better protect the rights of patients at these facilities, many believe more needs to be done. Some of the options being examined to accomplish this include examining of credential and personnel files of individuals who are accused of committing some sort of Texas Nursing Home Abuse.
The Austin Personal Injury Lawyers with Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers are hopeful the report will be used to improve the safety of all patients who are under the care of physicians by decreasing the chances of exposing patient’s to abuse and neglect.
