Dont ComplyFOX 5 Washington DC reports that a Virginia Inspector General report found Dr. Azure Baron, director of the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, engaged in misconduct. The report followed two 2023 whistleblower calls to the state's Waste, Fraud and Abuse Hotline. According to FOX 5, investigators found evidence that she manipulated risk management plans for patients found not guilty by reason of insanity, bypassed clinical teams and delayed feedback to treatment teams, which the report said put patient care at risk. It also cited "unsatisfactory leadership" and multiple internal disciplinary actions. FOX 5 says people who worked with Baron corroborated some allegations. The outlet notes she approved unescorted visits for a patient who later flew out of the country. In a joint statement, Baron and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services said the inspector general examined substantiated and unsubstantiated allegations and "appropriate actions were taken."
Why it matters
According to the report as described by FOX 5, the director's conduct put patient care at risk at a facility that houses people acquitted by reason of insanity in serious crimes. The facility's decisions on community privileges carry public safety implications.
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