The sight of sheriff’s deputies taking handcuffs off apparent prisoners and leaving them on their own for care at Hutcheson Medical Center has unnerved emergency room personnel and prompted complaints.
An emergency room nurse and other workers recently said they were worried about people who seemed to be in police custody being uncuffed and dumped at the emergency room, placing hospital staff at risk.
“We’ve been hit, and we’ve been bit” by people dropped off by deputies, said part-time hospital security officer James Jones.
He and others spoke at the March 10 town hall meeting in Ringgold, Ga., to spread information about partnership negotiations between Hutcheson and Erlanger Health System in Chattanooga.
Employees suggested local sheriff’s offices are releasing prisoners to avoid responsibility for their medical bills.