Inclusion Daily Express -- Director: Program Has Clean Up Its Act Following Girl's Restraint Death

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Director: Program Has Clean Up Its Act Following Girl's Restraint Death
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
April 6, 2007

RICE LAKE, WISCONSIN--Thursday's Rice Lake Chronotype looked at improvements that Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinic has made in the wake of the restraint death of a 7-year-old Angellika Arndt.

Angie, who had diagnoses of reactive attachment disorder, mood disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, died last May after being restrained facedown for 30 minutes in "control hold" at the Rice Lake Day Treatment Center, which Northwest operated, as a punishment for gargling milk. A medical examiner ruled Angie's death a homicide due to "complications from chest compression asphyxiation".

Last month, Northwest was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine after pleading no contest for negligent abuse. Former staff member Brad Ridout, who was involved in the fatal restraint, was sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent abuse.

The day treatment center has not reopened.

Northwest president Denison Tucker told the Chronotype that the facedown or "prone" restraint has been banned at all 11 clinics the company operates.

Tucker explained that all direct care workers are going through an emergency control training and certification program that emphasizes de-escalation techniques and "alternatives to control holds". The program requires periodic refresher courses and annual recertification.

"The primary objective for us in this effort is to restore trust and assure the public interest of our absolute commitment to safety, not only in words or policies, but also in practice," Tucker said.

Department of Health and Family Services spokesperson Stephanie Marquis said of the clinic: "They are essentially implementing all of Dr. Cullen's recommendations."

Related:
"Northwest revamps control hold policy following death" (Rice Lake Chronotype)
http://www.chronotype.com/newarticle.asp?T=L&ArticleID=11827
"Angellika Arndt, 7, Died After Ninth Restraint At Clinic" (Inclusion Daily Express Archives)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/restraints/wi/angellika.htm

Copyright © 2007 Inonit Publishing
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