The Protecteur du citoyen received a report according to which the quality and safety of care were compromised at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur-de-Montréal. According to the report, the control measures were applied abusively and the users were not followed up adequately. The Protecteur du citoyen decided to intervene.
Findings
The investigation revealed that control measures are used too often without justification. Yet they must only be considered in case of real danger for the user or for others. For example, physical restraint of a person may last several hours, or even several days. However, it should be reassessed regularly and removed once it is no longer necessary.
Deficiencies in the continuity of care to users was also observed. Indeed, the basic needs sometimes are not met and important information is not noted in the record. Vulnerable people do not receive the assistance required for learning retention and to maintain their dignity. Moreover, certain practices can be likened to elder abuse.
According to the Protecteur du citoyen, immediate actions needed to be taken to remedy all the deficiencies found.
Recommendations
After receiving the notice of intervention from the Protecteur du citoyen, the institution demonstrated good cooperation. In particular, it began a continuous improvement plan for the application of control measures. The Protecteur du citoyen addressed ten recommendations to the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, which is responsible for the Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur-de-Montréal. These recommendations and two follow-up requests concern all the hospital’s hospitalization units.
The institution has accepted all the recommendations and follow-up requests. The Protecteur du citoyen will closely monitor their implementation.
Intervention report at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur-de-Montréal (PDF, 435 KiB, in French only)
