Dwayne Doran, former director of safety and security at Mercy Hospital Springfield (Mo.), one of 12 employees fired in August amid a federal investigation into a patient care lapse, is suing the hospital for wrongful termination, reports the Springfield News Leader.
Mr. Doran's termination came directly after CMS launched an investigation into a complaint about patient care at the hospital. The agency found instances where staff members neglected or were forceful with patients. Hospital spokesperson Sonya Kullmann told Becker's Hospital Review the terminations were the result of "highly tense situations" in which the fired employees failed to act with "dignity and compassion."
The lawsuit claims the plaintiff warned his supervisors that the hospital's security policies and lack of proper security policies would endanger employees. Kate Millington, the attorney representing Mr. Doran, said the hospital fired Mr. Doran because he kept warning administrators about these policies.
"[Mr. Doran's] exact predictions came true," Ms. Millington said. She added that in her opinion, the termination was a "corporation trying to stay out of hot water by standing on the backs of its employees," according to the Springfield News Leader.
Mercy Hospital Springfield did not immediately respond to Springfield News Leader's request for comment.