Nursing Home Resident Burns to Death in Wheelchair
Nursing home resident, Rodney Kenney, died after catching fire while sitting in his wheelchair at Regency Place, an Indiana nursing home. On May 26, 2008, Mr. Kenney was found with a cigarette lighter near his wheelchair, even though he was not a smoker. He was, however, an Alzheimer patient who required substantial supervision. Shortly after Mr. Kenney caught fire, state regulations swooped in to investigate. Amazingly, upon their arrival, state employees were informed that no one was in charge. As a result of the state investigation, the facility was cited for improperly supervising Mr. Kenney, as well as medication errors related to a second resident, inadequate staffing, and inadequate screening for employees. The facility faces fines and possible denial of Medicare and Medicaid payments for new admissions after August 19, 2008.
