The federal government has decided to settle a lawsuit filed by the widow of a veteran who hanged himself about 12 hours after being admitted to a mental health ward.
The $390,000 settlement paid to Ingrid Keller ends all possible claims against the government in connection with the Oct. 29, 2006, death of Maynard E. Keller Jr. Tuesday's settlement specifically states there is no admission of liability.
Mr. Keller, 55, retired from the Army after 24 years. He worked as a truck driver until his death.
The lawsuit filed last year in U.S. District Court alleged the Uptown Division of the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center was negligent in ensuring a safe environment.
Mr. Keller was able to use the privacy curtain around his bed to fashion a noose. The curtain should have been designed to break away when pressure was applied, said the Kellers' attorney Andrew Tisdale.
"It was like leaving a razor blade in a day-care center," Mr. Tisdale said Wednesday.
A report on Mr. Keller's death prepared by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General noted that there are about 30,000 suicides in the United States every year. About 5 percent take place in hospitals and 70 percent of suicides on hospital wards are from hanging.
According to the lawsuit, Mr. Keller was seen at the Uptown Division on Oct. 28, 2006. He was suffering from depression, adjustment disorder and anxiety. He also had thoughts of suicide.
Mr. Keller was admitted to the center's locked mental health ward. About 12 hours later he was found dead.
The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems and the Veterans Health Administration all have guidelines on suicide prevention strategies for hospitals. Included is the requirement to eliminate or mitigate environmental risk factors.
The Inspector General's report noted the VA Medical Center should have had the required low-weight breakaway hardware on the mental health ward.
After Mr. Keller's death the center's staff immediately modified its mental health wards to remove private curtains and towel bars, which also posed a possible danger for suicidal patients.
Also in response, the National Center for Patient Safety sent out a safety alert on the privacy curtains in February 2007.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.
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A very slick argument from the attorney about the curtain stuff, but the hospital was not to blame. This was a terrible situation but this veteran, like thousands of other, had issues that no one else understood. He was going to complete his mission and nothing was going to stop him. This is the cost of war that never is factored into the equation, but very real for love ones.
Justus, you don't have the faintest idea if he fought in a war zone or not. Do you go out of your way to say ridiculous things? And it wasn't a slick argument, it was clear negligence, especially when there is curtains available that would've prevented it.
Another example of the best healthcare in the US. Public, please get real. This facility is one of the worst. Are you aware of the fact that the VHA is trying to make veterans infected with AIDS and hepatitis from unsterilized colonoscopy equipment prove it was the VA that gave it to them. They are also trying to hide behind the Feres Doctrine, contending that the Vets and their families cannot sue the VA for killing them. Forget about anything else!!!