Wrongful death alleged in suicide

The wife of a man who killed himself in a hospital bathroom while he was on suicide watch in 2008 has filed a wrongful death suit against Providence Health and Services, Inc., which owns Sacred Heart Medical Center.

In the case filed in Spokane County Superior Court, Renee Greene and her attorney, Mary Schultz, allege that Sacred Heart personnel “breached” the duty of care to safeguard 48-year-old Jake Greene from harming himself following his known suicide attempts, depression and psychological condition.

On Jan. 10, 2008, Jake Greene – who had a history of depression – attempted suicide by taking all of his prescribed medications. He arrived at Sacred Heart that night. Just after midnight on Jan. 11, Greene voluntarily admitted himself to the adult psychiatric service of Sacred Heart, according to court records.

Staff checked on Greene at 2:29 a.m., 6:19 a.m., 8 a.m. and 9:42 a.m. Then at 11:10 a.m., an employee found Greene dead in the bathroom. He had strangled himself using a bed sheet and door latch, according to the lawsuit.

The suit seeks damages to be established at trial.

Sacred Heart spokeswoman Maureen Goins directed media questions to attorney Brian Rekofke, who could not be reached Wednesday for comment.