UPDATED: McKee “Disgusted” by Findings of Report on Eleanor Slater Hospital
GoLocalProv News Team
UPDATED: McKee “Disgusted” by Findings of Report on Eleanor Slater Hospital
“I am deeply disturbed and frankly disgusted with the findings of the Joint Commission’s Preliminary Report," said McKee. "The report is preliminary and highlights issues that have not been adequately addressed over many years."
"My team is doing everything possible to address these deficiencies so that the Joint Commission’s final report will make the recommendation to maintain our accreditation," he added. "Secretary Jones, Director Charest, my staff and I are working to improve operations at Eleanor Slater Hospital for the patients and their families.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe 46-page report details a disturbing number of care issues.
- The violations range from an incident in which patients’ wheelchair became stuck in a pathway and four staffers had to assist to free the chair.
- Certified nurse assistants were not properly protected during x-rays in the dental office.
- Everything from gas tanks to electrical boxes were not properly secured.
- Improper staffing and understaffing.
The list goes on and on. Previously, McKee has criticized his predecessor's effort in making corrections to the hospital and called the Raimondo Administration's assessment of the situation a "fairy tale."
“When we went through the budget time frame, there were assumptions that were given to us that were not real,” McKee said at a press briefing on June 9. “It was a fairy tale.”
“Those assumptions really short-changed the budget a significant amount of dollars,” McKee said.
Endless Controversies
In October of 2020, GoLocal reported that the then-newly appointed Chief of Medical Services at the Rhode Island state hospital system was previously arrested for repeatedly exposing himself and masturbating in front of children.
The State of Rhode Island put Dr. Andrew Stone in charge of the most vulnerable population in the state’s care. These patients are served at two locations Eleanor Slater in Cranston and the Zambarano facility in Burrillville.
In 2006, the Rhode Island Department of Health suspended Stone's license for five years and the then-Director of Health David Gifford wrote in his order “Director of Health has determined that the continued practice of Andrew C. Stone, M.D. would constitute an immediate danger to the public.”
According to the RI Department of Health’s order issued, “The Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, received complaints that alleged that Andrew C. Stone, M.D. exposed himself and touched himself inappropriately in front of young boys in the Seekonk, Massachusetts YMCA. The Board conducted a review of the evidence provided by the Seekonk, MA and Barrington, RI police departments. The Board has determined that this is not the first incident of this nature and has referred the matter to the Director of Health for further consideration.”