Nurse's chilling comments add scrutiny over psychiatrist's treatment of patients
A nurse inadvertently exposed her worry over the "imprisonment" of a patient in a mental health facility.
Dr Brian Hyatt, a psychiatrist who led the mental health unit at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, Arkansas is at the centre of an investigation regarding patients who allegedly were being hospitalised against their will.
Specifically, one patient, William VanWhy, was held against his will in the unit without receiving proper medical care.
Arkansas law allows holding patients deemed dangerous for 72 hours, but for Mr VanWhy, no court petition was filed to extend his stay.
His partner obtained a court order for his release, and the hospital released him after being confronted by a sheriff's deputy.
England star Joe Marler reflects on lowest point after fight with pregnant wife
The nurse was worried about potentially exposing the alleged false 'imprisonments' (NBC WS)While in an elevator as he was getting released, Mr VanWhy and the deputy bumped into a nurse from the mental health unit.
The nurse, unaware of the court order, expressed relief that Mr VanWhy was getting out, saying, "I'm glad he's getting out."
However, realizing the potential implications of her statement, she quickly added, "Don't repeat that."
This incident was captured on the body camera footage of the sheriff's deputy, which was obtained by NBC News.
The nurse's comment may indicate that there could have been some knowledge among the staff about patients being held longer than necessary to maximize insurance billing before releasing them.
The incident adds further scrutiny to the allegations of mistreatment and fraudulent practices in the unit under the leadership of Dr Hyatt, the prominent psychiatrist who is now under investigation.
Dr Brian Hyatt, unit leader, is under investigation for fraud and false imprisonment (US News)Who is Dr Brian Hyatt?
Dr Brian Hyatt, the then-head of the mental health unit at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, Arkansas, is under investigation by state and federal authorities for allegations including Medicaid fraud and false imprisonment.
He and the hospital are facing multiple lawsuits from former patients who claim they were held against their will.
At least 25 former patients, including William VanWhy, have sued Hyatt, claiming that they were held against their will in his unit for extended periods, ranging from days to weeks.
Hyatt resigned from the Arkansas State Medical Board but maintains his innocence.
'So fed up of tiresome pal flirting with my husband and always putting me down'
The investigations and lawsuits led to increased scrutiny of Hyatt's practices and the hospital's handling of patients in his unit.
Northwest Medical Center settled for $1.1 million over insufficient patient documentation (NBC WS)In May 2022, Northwest Medical Center "abruptly terminated" Hyatt's contract following the ongoing investigations.
As part of a settlement with the Arkansas Attorney General's Office, the hospital agreed to pay $1.1 million for insufficient documentation justifying the hospitalization of 246 patients who were held in Hyatt's unit.
Despite these allegations and actions taken against him, as of the last provided information, Dr. Brian Hyatt had not been charged with a crime.
He and his legal team maintain his innocence and deny the allegations made against him.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
