TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - A hospital has reached an agreement with to pay $14,500 to the Agency for Health Care Administration after a woman died after being forcibly removed.
The AHCA filed a complaint against the the Calhoun-Liberty Hospital in February. The fine was originally $45,000 but they managed to reach a settlement agreement of $14,500.
Under the agreement, the hospital has until April 3rd, 2017 to pay the fine.
“Our hospital is a vital part of our community, and we appreciate this opportunity to continue our operations knowing we will be able to satisfy not only our financial obligation, but also our commitment to high quality patient care. Recent visits from AHCA have indicated we are making tremendous progress, and we are immensely grateful to those who have made this development possible," said Ruth Attaway, the chair of the hospital board.
The balance of the fine, which is over $40,000, will be held for two years pending the hospital follows the new measures the agency has put in place.
On Dec. 21, 57-year old Barbara Dawson died of a blood clot in her lungs after collapsing in the hospital parking lot while being handcuffed. Dawson refused to leave the emergency room after complaining of shortness of breath.
