California Nursing Home Disregards Doctor's Orders, Resident Chokes and Dies
According to the California Department of Public Health, Goldstar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center reportedly disregarded a doctor's orders, causing a resident to choke.
The facility was slapped with a $100,000 fine on February 16, 2011 with respect to the April 2009 incident involving a 60-year-old man suffering from multiple sclerosis and thyroid problems. The resident, who had lost most of his teeth and had difficulty chewing, was ordered a special diet of only soft foods. However, on the night of the choking incident, the man was served pork chops at a special candlelit dinner thrown by the facility. The man reportedly choked on the pork chop and was unconscious for approximately 10-15 minutes before he was resuscitated.
The man was transferred to an acute-care facility, where he died approximately one week later.
While the Terry Law Firm was not involved in this incident, we can attest to the importance of staff knowing the content of resident where Care Plans, as well as the location of the Car Plans. I am regularly amazed at how many nurses I depose admit to rarely, if ever, reviewing a resident's Care Plan. Care Plans are supposed to be created within seven days of a resident's admission and contain pertinent information about the resident's abilities, illnesses, and special needs. In this instance, it appears that facility staff may not have known where to locate information about this specific resident's needs. Unfortunately, that lack of knowledge directly contributed to his death.
The Terry Law Firm has represented residents and their families in cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect for over fifteen years. If you suspect that your loved one may be suffering abuse or neglect while a resident of a nursing home facility, contact Illinois Nursing Home Neglect Attorney David Terry toll-free at 1-800-317-2525 for a free no-obligation consultation.
