The Philadelphia Inquirer obtained security footage of a Jefferson Abington Hospital security guard who was accused of using excessive force against a psychiatric patient on April 23, 2024.
According to the story, the guard “stepped directly into her path and cornered her against the wall” at which point the patient, a 47-year-old mother named Julie, bit his forearm. They ended up on the floor and the guard held her down for three minutes.
Pennsylvania health inspectors issued Jefferson Abington Hospital an “immediate jeopardy warning” after reviewing the footage, interviewing staff witnesses, and consulting with hospital administrators. The department’s harshest warning, a sign of life-threatening safety failures, was lifted a day later after hospital administrators submitted a plan to update the hospital’s excessive-force policy and retrain staff.
Jefferson officials said the guard followed protocol and accused the patient of attacking him.
“He’s following the steps that we should be following to de-escalate the situation,” said Joe Byham, vice president of security for Jefferson Health.
Criminal assault charges were pressed against the patient and she turned herself in. She has no memory of the incident and was shocked when she received an arrest warrant, according to her interview with The Inquirer.
The story continues:
Abington’s security stands out with the worst track record: The hospital was cited three times between April and July of last year for security guards being inappropriately aggressive with patients being treated for mental or behavioral health needs.
In one instance, a guard restrained a patient using handcuffs, which security guards were not authorized to have under Jefferson policies.
In another incident, a guard chased a patient who had run out of the hospital and apprehended the patient off Jefferson’s property, where the guard had no authority.
“I went there for help,” Julie said. “I’d never been attacked like that before.”
The hospital reviewed the video with The Inquirer and shared it with the Abington Township Police Department. Officials would not provide a copy due to patient privacy.
The guard was fired months later and was not given a reason. On May 1, a Montgomery County judge heard an appeal by Julie’s lawyer to reconsider her guilty plea because they had become aware of the surveillance video and state citation.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office withdrew the charges after reviewing the video. Julie plans to file a civil complaint against Jefferson alleging battery, neglect, and unlawful restraint, The Inquirer said.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Image: The Philadelphia Inquirer