Minnesota Nursing Home Cited With Neglect in Patient Suicide
Texas Terrace Care Center, a St. Louis Park, Minnesota nursing home, was cited with neglect in a May 24, 2008 patient death. The patient, who was not considered a suicide risk, suffered from depression and congestive heart failure. On May 24, 2008, a nurse and nursing assistant attempted to force open the door of the man's room but could only open it slightly. The nurse and nursing assistant were able to see the man hanging from the other side of the door. The nursing supervisor called 911 and ordered the nursing staff not to touch the door but to wait for police. Approximately five minutes later, a firefighter pushed open the door without "putting all his weight on it or use of excessive force". The man's skin was still warm, but he was not breathing and had no pulse. As the man had a "do not resuscitate" order on file, all resuscitation efforts were halted. The nursing home excused its inaction by stating "nurses took immediate steps to try to enter the room but worried that forcing open the door would cause further injury to the man if he was still alive". The Minnesota Department of Health issued a "quality of care" citation against the facility because the "facility staff failed to continue efforts to open the door to provide emergency care".
