Grant County counselor's practice credential reinstated

OLYMPIA — A Grant County counselor has had his practice credential reinstated with conditions. Aaron Glenn’s permission to practice had been suspended in 2013.

Glenn had requested the credential be reinstated without restrictions. Glenn’s permission to practice was suspended after an incident in February 2012.

Glenn will be on probation for three years, according to information from the Washington Department of Health. Supervision will be required by a DOH-approved supervisor, and Glenn can “only work in places where this supervisor is on site and readily available.” The supervisor will be required to submit quarterly reports on Glenn’s practice.

Glenn will have to inform any employers about the probation and the reasons behind it. He will be required to take continuing education classes focusing on suicide prevention and intervention.

The incident that caused Glenn’s credential to be suspended involved an alleged suicide attempt at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata. The patient, referred to as “Patient A,” had threatened suicide and was taken to the hospital.

“Respondent (Glenn) was called to conduct the evaluation and for crisis intervention,” according to the DOH report. The patient had talked to a police officer before being transported to the hospital. “Respondent failed to obtain information from the police officer regarding Patient A’s suicidal behavior to assist in the evaluation of Patient A.”

The man had told hospital staff and the police officer he was thinking of suicide.

The DOH report said Glenn’s reaction showed skepticism of Patient A’s claim. “The police officer reported hearing the Respondent make a remark to the effect that Patient A was not suicidal.

“Respondent did not secure witness statements from the police or other witnesses. Respondent did not attempt to negotiate a voluntary admission to a mental health facility with Patient A.

“The hospital nurse reported that at one point while the Respondent was in the room with patient A, the Respondent called the nurse for help. In response, the nurse went into Patient A’s room and observed Patient A with a bandage wrapped tightly around his neck.

The nurse observed Patient A’s face was purple, eyes bulging and Patient A was not breathing.” The nurse removed the bandage.

“Respondent stated to the nurse that he witnessed Patient A remove the bandage from his ankle and wrap it around his neck. The Respondent did not intervene to stop Patient A from committing suicide by wrapping the bandage around his neck. The nurse reported that Respondent said he wanted to see how far Patient A ‘would take it.’

Patient A made another attempt to commit suicide after the Respondent left Patient A’s room by tying a bed sheet around his neck.”

Glenn’s permission to practice was reinstated in mid-December.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.