A heartbreaking event unfolded at a pediatric hospital in Washington state when a 12-year-old patient took her own life, resulting in the dismissal of over a dozen nurses and disciplinary action against another. Sarah Niyimbona, a young girl known for her kindness and outspokenness, tragically ended her life on April 13. She managed to exit her room at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane and leaped from the fourth floor of a parking garage.
Niyimbona had a history of suicide attempts and had been admitted to the emergency room multiple times in 2024. Despite her history of self-harm, the hospital allegedly removed essential safety measures such as a 24-hour sitter, a video monitor, and a door alarm. The family has since filed a lawsuit against the hospital, claiming that the hospital failed to provide adequate supervision on the night of her death.
Nasra Gertrude, Niyimbona’s mother, expressed her sorrow and bewilderment over the incident. She questioned how her daughter was able to exit her room and reach the elevator without being detected by any hospital staff. She voiced her disappointment with the hospital, stating that she had entrusted them with her daughter’s care.
In the wake of the incident, fifteen nurses were dismissed, and another was disciplined. The hospital administration alleges that these nurses improperly accessed Niyimbona’s medical records without being directly involved in her care, which could be a violation of the federal privacy law, HIPAA.
The Washington State Nurses Association, representing the dismissed nurses, has argued that the terminations were a form of “retaliation” against those who spoke to the media following Niyimbona’s death. The nurses have filed a grievance, a process that could take a significant amount of time to resolve.
Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital has defended the terminations, stating that they were necessary to protect patient privacy. The hospital has also initiated an internal investigation following Niyimbona’s death and has implemented new protocols, including suicide risk screening for all patients and procedures for locating missing patients.
Niyimbona’s family and friends remember her as a “shining light” who touched the hearts of everyone she met. Her sister, Asha Joseph, expressed her confusion and grief over the incident, questioning why there was no one watching her sister at the time of the incident.
The Washington State Department of Health is currently conducting an investigation into Niyimbona’s death.