Duluth Detox Center Cited for Abuse, Neglect

The Duluth Detox Center has been cited for abuse and neglect after leaving an intoxicated patient unclothed in a secluded room without a blanket, paper gown, or a cover. 

The first incident happened on June 2, 2015. According to staff, two patients were placed in separate seclusion rooms after having sex in the center’s bathroom.  One of the patient’s removed their shirt and tied it around their neck.  Staff feared the patient may make additional attempts to harm themselves and removed the rest of their clothing.  The patient remained in the seclusion room without clothes or anything covering them for an hour and a half. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services report states that “having ones clothing removed, and being on camera in front of staff persons and others for any period of time would be considered by a reasonable person to be derogatory or humiliating and could reasonably be expected to produce emotional distress.  Therefore, there was a preponderance of the evidence that emotional abuse occurred.” 

In a separate incident, staff members allegedly physically attacked a vulnerable adult in order to get their cell phone away from them.  The vulnerable adult sustained scratches on their hands and arms. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services found that the protective procedure used was in violation of the company’s policies and procedures and there was no information the patient was in imminent danger of causing harm to himself or others.  The DHS cited the Detox Center for neglect. 

This incident happened on January 28, 2016. 

The center was fined $3,000 for the violations. 

The Duluth Detox Center, at the Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment issued a statement saying the following: 

“We received the written report from DHS on Friday, 4/8. Based on the findings, we are reviewing our internal reporting processes and considering changes in how we manage patients with more serious behavioral or mental health issues. We currently admit approximately 3,500 people a year to our detox program which we have operated continuously since 1972. Both law enforcement and our local emergency rooms rely on our program for this service. Reducing the level of risk we assume will likely impact these other community resources, but our goal is to treat every patient with dignity and respect in a safe and secure setting. We will make whatever changes are necessary to prevent a recurrence of incidents like this.”