Two California Nursing Homes Fined in Patient Deaths
Alamitos West Health Care Center was fined $100,000 after an investigation revealed that the facility failed to provide sufficient fluids to an 82 year old woman despite a Care Plan ordering fluid intake and output. The woman entered the facility in November 2008 and her doctor ordered that her fluid intake and ouput be monitored during every shift.
On December 19, 2008, the woman's physical condition had severely deteriorated and she was transferred to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with dehydration, a urinary tract infection, and "altered mental status". She also was suffering from acute kidney failure. She died six days later on Christmas Day.
Sadly, a registered dietitian at the facility was show to prove that the facility make sure that the resident was receiving fluids. A review of the patient's intake and output of fluids chart showed that some entries were illegible or blank.
Huntington Valley Healthcare Center was fined $80,000 after a resident was not provided CPR after a heart attack. On March 2, a registered nurse supervisor did not call 911 as a resident was dying "because she thought the patient had orders" not to be resuscitated. Rather, the patient's medical record included an advance directive form from a family member on which the option selected was "I DO WANT C.P.R." in an emergency situation.
When a licensed vocational nurse at the facility contacted a family member to inform them of the death, the family member was told that the resident was dead and that paramedics were not contacted because of a DO NOT RESUSCITATE order. The family member told the nurse to hang up and dial 911. By the time help arrived, the resident was found in bed with no heartbeat, covered with a sheet and there were no signs that CPR had even been attempted.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us at 1 (888) 317-2525 with any questions or concerns.
