Probe Coming Over Tewksbury Hospital Strangulation: Report

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services is prepared to investigate the Tewksbury State Hospital after a pair of recent altercations between patients and staff, the Lowell Sun reported.

State Rep. Colleen Garry, of Dracut, told the Sun that Valenda Liptak will lead the investigation. Liptak was named interim administrator of Holyoke Soldiers Home in 2020 after a coronavirus outbreak at the facility.

>>Read more from the Lowell Sun.

Garry had called for the investigation, telling the Sun that a nurse was "nearly strangled to death."

A Department of Public Health spokesperson confirmed to Patch the department is investigating a "patient altercation with a nurse" that happened on Aug. 8.

The staff member is "recovering at home" and is in contact with the hospital leadership, while staffing and observation of the patient have increased, the spokesperson said.

The official also confirmed that the department "was notified of a separate incident" involving a patient and two staff members on Aug. 11.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.