Patient suicides at Maisonneuve-Rosemont
A patient leapt from the 9th floor at Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital on Sunday morning, landing on the roof of the 2nd floor; he later died of his injuries. The Journal elaborates that the man had a history of psychiatric illness. The same hospital saw a similar suicide last October.
Carrie 09:24 on 2012/07/09 Permalink
Peggy Curran writes an article in today’s Gazette about this. Specifically, she says, “But it’s the job of health-care providers to prevent bad stuff from happening to the people in their care. It’s written right there in the physician’s Hippocratic oath, summarized in three simple words: do no harm.”
How about securing windows in rooms where psychiatric patients are staying?
There are many hospitals in Montreal where windows open and if you were so determined, well, its an easy way out. That said, if someone is intent on commiting suicide, they will find a way – eventually.
To have unsecured windows in this case was perhaps, a tad short sighted. Whose to blame? Blame cannot be placed on the staff. To suggest that the health care providers can somehow be implicated in this tragic case is just idiotic. I’m just saying.
Kate 10:38 on 2012/07/09 Permalink
I tend to agree with you. Even in a hospital setting, a person determined to put an end to their life can probably do so. We can’t lock everyone up in a straitjacket.
mare 17:50 on 2012/07/09 Permalink
If you have an hospital without airconditioning having the windows open might be a nice “feature”. This woman was not locked up in the psych ward, but was there for another ailment, because in the psych ward the windows can’t be opened (and it’s probably not on the top floor either).
Chris 21:20 on 2012/07/09 Permalink
“do no harm”, being only three words, is an oversimplification. “do no net harm” is a bit better. Consider: chemo has all sorts of harmful side effects, but overall it may save your life. Similarly, the benefits of fresh air, and the sounds of the outdoors, may be a net benefit for the millions who have not jumped out the window during their hospital stay.
Michel 09:07 on 2012/07/10 Permalink
Not to be a stickler, but “do no harm” is not a part of the Hippocratic oath. Then again, it’s Peggy Curran and the Gazette, so we shouldn’t expect accuracy.
Kate 10:17 on 2012/07/10 Permalink
Michel, I just looked it up, and – to be fair – there is some stuff about “doing no harm” in there.
Chris, I can’t possibly agree with you more on this point.