Ohio Catholic hospital resolves First Amendment dispute over ‘body cavity’ search
Summary
Mercy Health, a Catholic hospital in Ohio, was involved in a legal dispute concerning a request by local police to conduct a body cavity search on a detainee brought to the hospital's emergency room. The attending physicians declined, citing ethical concerns and potential risks to the patient's health, including the possibility of releasing drugs into the patient's system. In response, police terminated an agreement with the hospital to provide policing services on its campus. The situation escalated to a federal lawsuit, alleging violations of the hospital's constitutional rights.
Relevance
This instance underscores the complexities Catholic healthcare institutions may face when navigating ethical dilemmas that involve law enforcement and patient care.