FayObserver
By Amanda Dolasinski Staff writer
October 27, 2015
"The Army should have focused on correcting the problems she identified, rather than retaliating against her," Lerner said in a news release. "However, in the end, the Army did the right thing by settling her claim. Ms. Gilbert's case underscores why whistleblower protections are vital."An infection preventionist for Womack Army Medical Center who claimed the hospital retaliated against her after she went to a higher authority to report serious infection control issues has received a favorable settlement, according to a decision from federal officials.
The Army has settled a claim of reprisal with Teresa Gilbert, a former civilian employee at the hospital, after more than a year of legal wrangling. Gilbert will receive a monetary settlement and all negative information about her employment records will be removed, according to the Office of Special Counsel, which mediated the case.
A spokeswoman for Womack confirmed the settlement was signed last month.
"There has been no finding or admission of wrongdoing by either Womack Army Medical Center or any personnel," according to a statement from Womack. "Army Medicine takes seriously all concerns regarding patient safety, and the issues raised were thoroughly investigated and appropriately acted upon."
Womack said it promotes an environment for employees to report patient safety concerns.
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I was an employee at WOMACK during the time Teresa Gilbert was not present and the oversight for the infectious disease protocols were not being followed.
ReplyDeleteI worked daily in the basement of the medical center near the cafeteria and bathrooms where all the doctors and nurses visit several times a day.
I have never worked in a medical facility before and was not made aware of any such dangers, I was in the IT department.
In less than 4 weeks of working there, I was admitted to the ER with clinical MRSA of which only one antibiotic is available.
I was on 2 bags of IV in the hospital for 30 days after surgery for a softball size abscess in my lower abdomen.
After being admitted into the hospital for heart issues recently, I learned that I still have MRSA and will carry MRSA for the rest of my life.
Since then, I have quit because I no longer felt safe working there.
I don't like reading comment like this because for every one of them, there are a lot more, but I really hate the fact you had to go through any of it. Thank you for sharing it. It just may help someone else find the courage to share as well. If not, at least they know it wasn't just them.
DeleteGreat update to this story, http://www.combatptsdwoundedtimes.org/2016/09/fort-bragg-whistleblower-office-special.html
ReplyDelete