CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina Respiratory Care Board is investigating several employees at a South Charlotte acute care hospital after a former worker raised concerns about the care of patients with breathing problems.
Carmita Edison said she became a respiratory therapist after she and her dad had lung problems.
For five years she worked at Carolinas Specialty Hospital, where she cared for patients with serious breathing issues.
Edison told Channel 9 last year she became worried about patient care and notified supervisors.
"I felt like they were ignoring my concern," she said.
Edison contacted the North Carolina Respiratory Care Board, which launched an investigation involving four employees.
In a consent order obtained by Eyewitness News, state officials said CSH staff did not set ventilator pressure limits set by department policy.
Respiratory Care Board Director William Croft said, "The idea behind setting a pressure limit is to protect the lung from overinflation."
Investigators also stated that staff did not chart vital signs or breath sounds.
"That's a change in your condition. It changes the way we, as health care providers, need to treat you," said Edison.
Edison lost her job.
She claims it's because she was a whistleblower and has filed a lawsuit.
In a letter, hospital officials told Edison she circumvented her supervisor and complained about assignments.
Carolinas Specialty hospital is in the midst of a management change.
Ed Cooper, president of Aquity Healthcare, the former company in charge, told Channel 9, "The goal of the hospital when we were there was always excellence in patient care."
While NC RCB stated investigators did not find any patients were harmed, officials said their charge is to protect the public.
The board required policy changes at CSH including staff education.
For the first time, the board sent a commendation letter to Edison thanking her for helping their investigation.
The NC RCB's investigations into three employees are still ongoing.
NC Respiratory Care Board investigates concerns at acute care hospital
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