SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Department of State Health Services will create a "locked unit" at one of its San Antonio hospitals, after a spike in the number of patients who have left without permission while receiving court-ordered treatment.
Since November 2015, 104 court-ordered patients have left the Texas Center for Infectious Disease without authorization, state records provided to the KSAT 12 Defenders revealed.
The hospital treats patients whose primary diagnosis is tuberculosis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease spread from person to person, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Last September, a patient left the campus 23 times for a job off-site.
A Department of State Health Services spokesperson said the patient was far enough into his treatment for TB that he no longer posed a threat to public safety.
Security staff at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease and the San Antonio State Hospital, which shares a Southeast Side campus, told The Defenders that even though they are taught multiple techniques to physically restrain patients, they are not allowed to use them on patients who are fleeing from the hospitals.
"Why aren't you stopping these people? Why aren't you doing your job? Why are you endangering the community I serve?" asked Anthony Hernandez, a former security supervisor who resigned last month.
Security at the San Antonio State Hospital came under scrutiny last October when convicted killer Gary Ligon walked away from the facility. He was found walking along a Southeast Side street days later.
Hernandez, who said he resigned after repeatedly clashing with administration and after being forced to return to work despite major health problems, said security concerns at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease need to be addressed, as well.
"We were told hands off, because the rights of the patients overwrites the health and safety of the community," said Hernandez.
Hernandez contends that he repeatedly saw Texas Center for Infectious Disease patients walk away from the hospital and board VIA buses running along Southeast Military Drive.
Instead of physically restraining them from leaving, Hernandez said he and other security staff were forced to try to talk them out of leaving.
A Department of State Health Services spokesperson said the agency is unaware of any contagious person boarding a bus after walking away from the Texas Center for Infectious Disease.
A spokesperson for VIA Metropolitan Transit said the state had not reached out about any possible incidents.
Still, the state plans to have a "locked unit" for court-ordered patients at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease in place by March 1.
An agency spokesperson said the measure, along with several new policies at the state hospital, "are part of an ongoing process and we're reviewing all options to keep our patients safe and secure."
A Department of State Health Services spokesperson indicated Hernandez resigned in lieu of disputing a disciplinary action notice given to him.
The Texas Center for Infectious Disease moved to its current location in early 2011.
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