Dialysis Center in Methuen, Massachusetts, Claims Responsibility After Patient Was Locked Inside

A woman was locked inside the clinic Saturday night

A dialysis center in Methuen, Massachusetts, has claimed responsibility and the state's health department is launching an investigation after an elderly woman was locked in the center after hours over the weekend.

The Fresenius Dialysis Center released a statement Monday morning explaining that an employee, "did not see any patients in the treatment room and mistakenly believed that all of our patients had left the facility."

The center added, "we deeply regret what occurred and have spoken with the patient's family."

On Saturday, 86-year-old Maureen Perry went in for dialysis treatment, which usually takes about four hours.

After her family did not hear from her for more than seven hours, they started to panic.

They called emergency rooms around town and eventually decided to check the dialysis center. 

Upon arrival they saw Perry trapped, alone in the room she was left in.

The family called 911 and firefighters from the Methuen Fire Department were able to unlock the center's door. 

Erica Crosby, Perry's granddaughter said, "She looked at my mom and I and she said, 'I knew you guys would find me, I love you. I cried. It's just horrible."

Jon Stone, from the center told necn, "we have initiated additional processes and safeguards to ensure that an incident such as this does not happen again."

The family is unsure whether or not Perry will continue to go to the center.

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