U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Health Facility
for Exposing Employees to Workplace Violence
BRADENTON, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Premier Behavioral Health Solutions of Florida Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc., the operators of Bradenton-based Suncoast Behavioral Health Center, for failing to protect employees from violence in the workplace. Proposed penalties total $71,137.
OSHA responded to a complaint that employees were not adequately protected from violent mental health patients. OSHA cited Premier Behavioral Health Solutions of Florida Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc., subsidiaries of Universal Health Services Inc., for failing to institute controls to prevent patients from verbal and physical threats of assault, including punches, kicks, and bites; and from using objects as weapons. Another UHS subsidiary was cited in 2016 for a deficient workplace violence program.
“This citation reflects a failure to effectively address numerous incidents over the past two years resulting in serious injuries to employees of the facility,” said Les Grove, OSHA Tampa Area Office Director.
Premier Behavioral Health Solutions of Florida Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc. have 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed 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.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
Welcome to Palm Shores
Since 1985, we have been dedicated to providing quality mental health treatment to our community’s youth. Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center provides comprehensive mental health care and education services for at risk children and adolescents, families and our community.
Palm
Shores Behavioral Health Center is an intensive inpatient psychiatric
program for males and females, ages 5 – 17 years old. Our Board
Certified Psychiatrist, Dr. Jaime Barker, has provided intensive
residential treatment services to children and adolescents for over
thirty six years. He is a nationally recognized expert in his field. We
offer a highly structured supportive and safe environment for children
and adolescents who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, family and
social challenges.Treatment involves a multi-disciplinary team of clinical staff, including psychiatrists, mental health therapists, expressive and recreational therapists, registered nurses, mental health technicians and certified teachers.
The program is designed to re-establish healthy behaviors while successfully transitioning residents back into the family, home, school and community as soon as possible.
Palm Shores is a fully licensed specialty Residential Treatment Center (RTC), accredited by the Joint Commission. We are a network provider for most major insurance plans with residential treatment benefits, TRICARE® and ChampVA-certified in addition to managed care Medicaid.
TRICARE® and ChampVA Certified
Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center provides services to our military families, supporting those who have supported us. Specialized services in our trauma informed care environment are utilized to include opportunities for individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, certified behavioral analyst services, expressive therapies, therapeutic family (home) assignments, and community outings.