Indiana Nursing Home Staff Abandon Resident on Bus in Dangerously Cold Temperatures
An Indiana nursing home was fined after a resident was reportedly abandoned on a facility bus in dangerously cold weather. Eighty-seven year old Albert Howell, a resident of Ambassador Healthcare, an Indiana nursing home, was reportedly left on a facility bus for over five hours in 39 degree weather.
Howell was taken to a dental appointment on March 2 in the Ambassador Healthcare bus. He was apparently left on the bus for five-and-a-half hours on the bus before being found around 9:45 p.m. Howell's family is appalled and can't figure out how the incident happened. According one family member, "It got cold and he rubbed his hands together to stay warm. He just got over pneumonia two weeks earlier, so he was very lucky that he didn't get sick again.
Ambassador Healthcare owner Tim Sadler had this to say about the incident: "It was unfortunately a medical condition of the driver that led to this happening. We feel terrible about what happened - for the driver and the resident. The driver was terminated, but he was in the hospital for several days after that for observation."
The March 2, 2011 incident netted the facility an immediate jeopardy citation and a fine of $4,100. The facility was required to submit a plan that ensures resident accountability when leaving the facility. Now, facility drivers are required to sign out residents and nurses are required to sign in residents upon their return. At the end of each shift, maintenance workers are required to walk through the bus and sign off on a check sheet. Additionally, someone from the laundry staff is also required to perform a walk through and sign a check sheet.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. If you suspect that your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Missouri Nursing Home Abuse Attorney David Terry for a free no-obligation consultation at 1-888-317-2525 or 314-878-9797.
