Minnesota Nursing Home Blamed in Resident Death
A Minnesota nursing home is reportedly to blame for a resident's recent untimely death. According to a state Health Department investigation, Sunwood Good Samaritan Society of Redwood Falls, a nursing home facility located in western Minnesota, was negligent in the resident's November 1, 2010 death when its staff allegedly failed to act quickly when a resident's physical condition was unexpectedly deteriorated.
On October 31, the resident was eating dinner when she began coughing and gasping during dinner. Rather than call the woman's physician, a facility nurse faxed the doctor concerning the woman's difficulty breathing. No one responded to the fax or followed up the next day.
The next day, the woman continued to have trouble breathing, her appetite was poor, and she was lethargic. Later that night, the woman's condition worsened and her pulse was erratic and her breathing was more difficult. Her fingertips turned blue and she curled into a fetal positions. A facility nurse administered oxygen and gave her medication for pain. Faxes were again send to the doctor's office, beginning at 4:15 p.m. After the third fax, after 5:00 p.m., the woman's doctor finally responded.
At 5:15 p.m., facility staff called an ambulance for the woman but failed to indicate that it was an emergency. At 6:25 p.m., the same nurse called again for an ambulance, failing again to stress the emergent status of the resident. When the ambulance finally arrived at 6:30 p.m., the woman was in cardiac arrest and died just before 7:00 p.m. Her cause of death was cardio-respiratory failure.
The ensuing investigation into the facility's actions found that the facility failed to have formal processes in place for monitoring and reacting to significant changes in the resident's condition. The facility was ordered to take corrective action addressing the three deficiencies assessed in this case and staff were trained to:
- Call 911 - not sheriff's dispatch - for ambulance requests.
- Respond to "significant changes in condition" of residents appropriately.
- Implement systems for proper physician notification in emergent situations.
Missouri Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney David Terry is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect in Missouri and Illinois. If you suspect that your loved one or family member may be a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact us toll-free for a no obligation consultation at 1-888-317-2525 or 314-878-9797.
