Legislators allege years-old findings used as 'pretext' to move patients out of state hospital

PROVIDENCE — Lawmakers seeking to shine a light on the "shadow closing" of the state-run Zambarano hospital are alleging an unannounced effort to move 20-plus oxygen-assisted patients from the Burrillville campus to the Cranston wing of the hospital.

Two lawmakers whose districts encompass the hospital say the relocation of the patients - signalled in emails to hospital staff this week - is being attributed to a finding by the state fire marshal that is not new and does not merit such dramatic action.

"The pretext for the latest move is a fire marshal’s inspection report about 'leaking isolation valves' in the hospital’s oxygen system for ventilator patients,'' state Rep. David Place and Sen. Jessica de la Cruz said in a jointly issued statement.

In response to their inquiries, they said, they were told "the administration" of the state Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals "voluntarily pointed out the problem after the comprehensive inspection was completed with the intent to getting cited and [using] the inspection as the excuse to move the patients.

Read more: https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/31/legislators-allege-years-old-findings-used-pretext-move-patients-out-state-hospital/4823376001/