Bergen hospital allegedly exposed workers to violent patients

Federal officials have cited Bergen Regional Medical Center for failing to protect employees from violent patients.

Bergen Regional Medical Center (Google Maps) 

PARAMUS -- Federal officials have cited Bergen Regional Medical Center for allegedly failing to protect employees from violent patients.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found eight incidents from Feb. 22 through June 12 in which health care workers were victims of violent patients. In one case a nurse suffered a laceration and bruises trying to stop an attack on a patient, OSHA said.

A worker's complaint prompted OSHA to inspect Bergen Regional. The agency cited the hospital on Aug. 18 for failing to keep the workplace free of hazards.

Employees reported patients barricading them in rooms, threatening them, exposing them to blood-borne pathogens and biting, punching and kicking them, OSHA said.

Bergen Regional management failed to take adequate measures to protect workers, Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's Hasbrouck Heights area office, said.

"With so many incidents, it's clear that this facility's workplace violence program is ineffective and should be improved immediately to protect employees and ensure a safe workplace," she said.

Bergen Regional has requested an informal conference with OSHA in response to the citations. Hospital officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

With 1,070 beds, Bergen Regional is the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in New Jersey.

The hospital is owned by Bergen County and leased to a private operator. The lease runs out in 2017.

The fate of Bergen Regional is one of the biggest questions facing County Executive James Tedesco. In June, he appointed a 13-member committee to recommend what to do with the hospital once the lease expires.

Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.