KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- Several employees with the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital are suspended on allegations of suspected assault of a patient.
Twenty-eight workers are now off the job with pay after an incident involving just one patient.
That's according to Jennifer Smith, who is a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Community Health.
Chief Jeff Hadley, with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety told FOX 17 his officers served a search warrant at the hospital to collect information as part of the investigation.
The alleged incidents were first reported this month. Hadley said there are 19 incidents in total that date back to June including 16 of the 28 employees.
Smith said the patient was injured but didn't say how. She adds that there's a "culture problem" at the hospital, which includes an issue with employee attitudes.
The hospital has about 500 employees on staff with 159 patients. It's not clear how many of those employees are involved in patient care.
Smith said the state is working to fill leadership roles at the hospital after positions were vacated because of other issues earlier this year.
The director of nursing was fired after allegations surfaced regarding neglect that was linked to the death of another patient.
Smith said they're interviewing potential care workers to fill the void left by the suspensions.
Right now, the hospital has put a hold on accepting new patients.
