Minnesota's Good Samaritan Society Waconia Facility Cited for Neglect
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) paid an unannounced visit to Good Samaritan Society Waconia on August 14, 2008 to investigate an allegation of neglect. The allegation was substantiated through the MDH investigation.
On August 12, 2008, a single facility staff member was transferring a resident from a shower chair to a wheelchair using an E-Z stand lift. The resident was unable to bear weight or walk. The resident's Care Plan indicated that the resident required a full mechanical lift with a two-person assist for transfer, as she was totally dependent on staff for care. The resident could not bear weight and fell down onto her knees, causing her chin and neck to become "hung up" on the arm of the lift. The resident was hanging in mid-air by her safety belt and was turning blue and gasping for air. She was bleeding from her nose, had a cut on her eyelid, and petechia on her forehead. It took four staff members to lift the resident out of the belt and lower her to the floor. She was transferred to the emergency room for evaluation and treatment.
Unfortunately, it was not the first time the resident's Care Plan had been disregarded and she had been transferred using the E-Z stand lift for showering.
MDH cited the facility for two federal deficiencies and two licensing orders involving following the resident's Care Plan and providing necessary supervision and assistive devices to prevent accidents.
