Hospitals exist to serve the health care needs of their patients. While the majority of hospitals are run by conscientious and well-intentioned individuals, some hospital officials are guilty of putting profits before patients. Such is the claim by one former hospital employee who has filed a lawsuit against her former employer alleging officials sought to destroy and cover up documents that could be used to prove hospital negligence in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Employed at the hospital as a patient advocate from 2003 to 2010, the woman was responsible for documenting the grievances of patients concerned over the care they received. As a patient advocate, the woman met with patients and their families, documented potential issues or problems and maintained records related to investigations of documented issues.

According to the recently filed lawsuit, during 2009 the woman contends she was asked by her supervisor to destroy medical records that could be used against the hospital in potential medical malpractice lawsuits. These records included concerns a new mother had raised related to the obstetrician who delivered her baby.

According to the woman, the mother contacted the hospital to complain about the fact that the obstetrician who delivered her baby had acted strangely. An investigation into the matter uncovered that the doctor had been under the influence of alcohol at the time he delivered the baby.

The woman contends she was instructed by hospital officials not to document the matter or share information with the new mother. Shortly after this event transpired, the woman, overcome by stress and grief related to her job and the requests made by superiors, attempted to commit suicide.

The hospital in questions vehemently denies any wrongdoing. Hospital officials contend they never asked the woman to destroy information pertaining to medical investigations.

Source: Woodbury Bulletin, "Woodbury hospital sued by former employee amid cover-up allegations," Riham Feshir, Jan. 8, 2013