California Nursing Home Hit with $100,000 Fine After Resident Dies
Arbor View Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, a nursing home facility located in Santa Monica, California, was hit with a AA Citation, the most severe citation possible, and fined $100,000 after a gastronomy tube was inserted into a resident's abdominal cavity instead of her stomach. The resident later died.
The resident's gastrostomy tube became dislodged on September 8, 2008. A facility licensed vocational nurse (LVN) reinserted it and continued the resident's tube feedings, despite a facility policy prohibiting reinsertion of gastrostomy tubes in place less than three months; the resident's tube had only been in place approximately 10 days.
The resident began feeling poorly and began experiencing nausea and vomiting. After being transferred to the hospital, a hospital scan revealed that the resident's feeding tube had been inserted into her abdominal cavity instead of her stomach and showed that her abdominal cavity contained massive amounts of fluid. Sadly, the resident died on October 24, 2008. Her autopsy report indicated that she died due to complications of inflammation of the lining of her abdominal cavity.
This is not the first time Arbor View Rehabilitation and Wellness Center has been in the spotlight of the California Department of Public Health. Between 2007 and 2008, the facility logged more than 75 complaints and is rated as a one-star facility, which is a below-average care facility, according to The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. To read more about the care this facility provides, click here.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
