Hospital Cited Following Death Of Woman Forcibly Removed

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — A Tallahassee hospital has been cited for 10 deficiencies following the death of a patient who was removed from the facility, says Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration.

AHCA Secretary Elizabeth Dudek calls the deficiencies so egregious that Calhoun-Liberty Hospital will be fined and must submit correction plans by Feb. 19. She says if the Blountstown hospital doesn't correct the deficiencies by March 1, it will be suspended from Florida's Medicaid program.

On Dec. 21, 57-year old Barbara Dawson died of a blood clot in her lungs after collapsing in the hospital parking lot while being handcuffed. Dawson refused to leave the emergency room after complaining of shortness of breath.

The report states the hospital didn't follow its policies after Dawson complained.

In a statement, CEO Ruth Attaway says the hospital is committed to meeting the agency's deadline.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)