Woman’s Death Leads to Changes at Oregon Hospital

Oregon State Hospital officials say they have changed some procedures to try to prevent future deaths like the young woman who died in April after choking on a small medication bottle.

The 23-year-old had tried to kill herself dozens of times in her short life. Her suicide attempts were outward signs of the anguish tormenting the adopted Bulgarian girl who was sexually abused from the time she was 10.

The Oregonian reports a contract nurse gave her the small bottle of medicine despite her history of swallowing things.

Changes in hospital procedures now mean staff members will include a patient’s risk factors on the daily sheets that typically record a patient’s mood and other noteworthy items. Other changes at the hospital include daily checks of emergency equipment and new procedures when an ambulance is called.