Health Facility Discharges 15 Nurses Following Tragic Suicide of 12-Year-Old Patient
In an unsettling turn of events, fifteen nurses were let go from Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane following the suicide of 12-year-old Sarah Niyimbona in April 2025. The hospital alleges that these nurses breached patient privacy rules by accessing Sarah's medical records without being directly involved in her care[1][3][5].
However, the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) and union members argue that these terminations were retaliatory actions. They claim that the nurses had spoken out publicly and raised concerns about the hospital’s psychiatric care and treatment of Sarah prior to her death[1][3][5].
Sarah had been under intermittent psychiatric care for self-harm and suicidal behavior at the hospital for about eight months. On April 13, she slipped out of her pediatric hospital room without triggering an alarm, walked to the hospital’s parking garage, and tragically died by suicide shortly afterward[1][3].
Immediately after Sarah's passing, her sister Asha stated that it felt like the hospital was trying to hide something[2]. This sentiment was echoed by staff members who reportedly received a hospital-wide email asking the staff to avoid posting about the incident or sharing public comments[3].
Asha also mentioned that the hospital removed Sarah's designated "sitter" just days before the tragic incident[2]. Furthermore, nurses alleged that the hospital fired them in retaliation for speaking to the media about Sarah's passing[1][3][5]. The hospital has not disclosed the total number of affected staff beyond the 15 nurses[3].
These developments have sparked a wave of criticism and concern, with many questioning the hospital's handling of Sarah's case and the subsequent actions taken against the nurses. The WSNA and union members are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure justice for Sarah and to prevent similar incidents in the future[1][3][5].
[1] https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/apr/16/providence-sacred-heart-fires-15-nurses-following-s/ [2] https://www.krem.com/news/local-news/family-of-12-year-old-who-died-by-suicide-at-providence-sacred-heart-medical-center-claims-hospital/article_9a17f19c-a45b-5f7a-948e-f20244e3119c.html [3] https://www.kxly.com/news/local-news/providence-sacred-heart-medical-center-says-nurses-fired-for-privacy-violations-wsna-says-its-retaliation [4] (No relevant information provided) [5] (No relevant information provided)
