Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, is contesting initial findings from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that the hospital failed to protect its employees from violent patients.
"Nationwide Children's Hospital is continuing to engage with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding its earlier findings," the hospital said in a statement shared with Becker's. "The hospital filed a notice of contest [June 15] to preserve the ability to contest OSHA's initial findings. The safety of our staff and the safety of the children and families we serve is our highest priority."
OSHA cited Nationwide Children's Hospital with two violations and proposed an $18,000 fine in May after it found the hospital failed to protect its employees from violent patients. The citations were a result of an investigation at the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at the hospital, which provides acute behavioral health services with intensive outpatient programs.
OSHA gave Nationwide Children's Hospital 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
OSHA Area Director Larry Johnson told The Columbus Dispatch attorneys for OSHA and the hospital will try to negotiate a settlement, but if they are unable to reach one, the matter could go to trial before an administrative law judge.