Home care agency cited after nurse killed by patient during visit
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The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Wednesday said it cited a Connecticut home care agency after a licensed practical nurse was killed by a patient during a home visit in Willimantic, Connecticut.
OSHA cited Jordan Health Care Inc. and New England Home Care Inc., both doing business as Elara Claring, for one “willful” violation for failing to develop adequate measures to protect workers from workplace violence.
OSHA issued Dallas-based Elara Claring $163,627 in proposed penalties. The company has 15 business days to contest the citation and proposed penalties.
The citation stems from an Oct. 28, 2023, incident in which nurse Joyce Grayson was killed during a visit to a halfway house.
OSHA also cited Elara Claring for one “other-than-serious” violation for failing to provide work-related injury and illness records to OSHA within a statutorily mandated timeframe.
OSHA said the case highlights the need for employers to create and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs, especially in light of rising incidents of violence in recent time.
