Probe Finds Hospital ‘Wall of Shame’ About Disabled Patients

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — An investigation by the Maine Human Rights Commission found that employees of a hospital created a “wall of shame” displaying confidential medical records of patients with disabilities.

The discovery stems from a complaint filed with the commission by a former employee of the hospital, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. The Bangor Daily News reports the commission found the “wall of shame” contributed to a hostile work environment at the hospital.

St. Mary’s is part of Massachusetts-based Covenant Health. Covenant’s vice president of corporate communications, Karen Sullivan, declined to comment. Human rights commission complaints sometimes serve as a step toward a settlement or lawsuit.

The employee who complained said she found the “wall of shame” inside a cabinet door when she began work as a laboratory technician assistant.

(Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangordailynews.com)