Mass. General details patient safeguards after 2 medical assistants charged with indecent assault

Mass General Brigham detailed a series of patient safeguards this week after a second medical assistant was charged with indecent assault on a patient. Leonardo Hernandez, 29, was arraigned Monday on indecent assault and battery charges. Prosecutors allege he touched a patient inappropriately during an unauthorized exam at Mass General Dermatology. According to court documents, Hernandez is accused of running his fingers up the patient's legs, moving her underwear aside and asking to see her breasts. The case comes just over a year after the arrest of another MGH employee, medical assistant Damien Knighton. He was charged last January and is awaiting trial for indecently assaulting several patients at the MGH Clinic in Back Bay. He allegedly told the victims they needed prostate exams before assaulting them. Mass General told WCVB they put a number of new procedures in place after Knighton's arrest. That includes: Clearly stated employee roles through the hospital's Badge Buddies program, which lists the exact role of the MGH employee treating themA ban on employee personal cellphones in clinicsMaking sure patients know if pictures are necessary for careFocusing on communication with patients during exams about what their treatment will entailEnhanced signage in exam rooms in English and Spanish informing patients of the availability of chaperones for any visitA hospital spokesperson said extensive background checks were already in place before each incident. In a statement, the spokesperson said in part: "We continually assess our systems and processes to ensure that we can minimize the possibility of an occurrence like this happening. We are committed to this important work and want to assure our patients that their safety is our first priority."Leonardo Hernandez is due back in court on July 24. Damien Knighton is set for a pre-trial hearing in October.