Former Employee Files Whistleblower Suit Against Lurie Children’s Hospital

A Pattern of Unsanitary Practices Alleged

Christina Christner, a former pharmacy technician at Lurie Children’s Hospital, has filed a whistleblower suit against the hospital, alleging that she was fired for reporting alleged problems in its pharmacy to state regulators.

Unsanitary Practices Exposed

According to her lawsuit, Christner reported to management and regulators that the hospital was engaging in unsanitary practices, including:

• Reusing single-use vials of medications up to four days after they were first used — past their 12-hour expiration.
• Pharmacy technicians reusing gloves while compounding medication for patients.
• Reusing single-use fluid bags.
• Using rubbing alcohol to clean surfaces instead of sterile alcohol.

Lawsuit Alleges Retaliation

Christner alleged that she was fired just a week after state investigators visited the hospital, and that her complaints were ignored or dismissed by management.

In her suit, she claims that management claimed she was targeting certain employees by filing the complaints, and that they focused on her behavior rather than addressing the issues.

Denial from Lurie Children’s Hospital

Lurie Children’s Hospital denied the allegations in a statement to the Sun-Times, saying:

Lurie Children’s consistently prioritizes safe, high-quality care to the patients and communities we serve and fosters an ethical workplace for our employees.

Seeking Justice and Reform

Christner is seeking backpay with interest, future lost earnings, and unspecified damages. Her lawyer, David Fish, hopes to get justice for Christner and improve conditions at Lurie Children’s Hospital.

“Employees who work at hospitals, particularly hospitals that deal with babies, should not be put in a position where they have to make a decision about whether to speak up about something they think is unsafe or risk losing their jobs,” Fish said.

Conclusion

Christner’s case highlights the importance of whistleblower protection and the need for hospitals to prioritize patient safety and employee well-being. Her allegations, if proven, could have serious consequences for Lurie Children’s Hospital and its reputation.

FAQs

• What is a whistleblower suit? A whistleblower suit is a legal action taken by an employee who reports alleged wrongdoing or violations of laws or regulations to a government agency or regulatory body.
• What are the allegations in this case? The allegations include unsanitary practices in the hospital’s pharmacy, such as reusing single-use vials of medications and reusing gloves, as well as using rubbing alcohol to clean surfaces instead of sterile alcohol.
• What is the outcome of the case? The case is ongoing, and it’s unclear what the outcome will be. However, the allegations have raised serious concerns about patient safety and the need for hospitals to prioritize employee well-being and transparency.
• What is the goal of the lawsuit? The goal of the lawsuit is to seek justice for the former employee, Christina Christner, and to improve conditions at Lurie Children’s Hospital.