Jurors Recognize The Sad Emblem Of Nursing Home Neglect: Pressure Sores
One of the more difficult social responsibilities that we have is serving on a jury. In addition to the obvious inconvenience and time away from family and work responsibilities, jurors have the difficult task of determining who to believe in a situation where completely contradictory explanations of an incident are being offered. At most medical malpractice and personal injury trials, the party initiating the lawsuit (the plaintiff) is claiming they sustained an injury due to the conduct of the person that they are suing (the defendant)-- who generally denies all accusations of wrongdoing. For a jury who may be...
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Nursing Homes Poorly Controlling Infections Amongst Patients
A report published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report concluded that nursing homes need to do a better job when it comes to implementing infection control programs at their facilities. After studying a group of patients at a Pennsylvania nursing home requiring specialized neurologic and pulmonary care, it was revealed that infections such as Group A Streptococcus were alarmingly prevalent. Within the group of nursing home patients studied, patients with open wounds (such as bed sores) and invasive Group A Streptococcus fared the worst with an approximately 20% mortality rate. Not surprisingly, the...
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Bed Sore Prevention Is An Ongoing Process For All Nursing Home Patients
Upon entering a nursing home, staff must conduct an assessment of various aspects of patient needs in order to assure the best possible care. Federal law requires that part of the assessment incorporate both a skin assessment to determine if the patient has any existing pressure sores and to develop a plan of care to help ensure that the patient doesn't develop any bed sores (also referred to as: pressure sores, pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers) during their admission. Universally accepted, nursing homes typically incorporate the Braden Scale (or officially known as Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk),...
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Nurse Facing Criminal Charges After Intentionally Neglecting Ventilator Patient
Perhaps Abiodun Oke should be shoveling asphalt or a similar occupation where a person's compassionate side is not necessarily crucial to the job? On the other hand, as a licensed practical nurse (such as Mr. Oke)--- or really any profession responsible for caring for the elderly-- I would suggest have substantial dose of compassion as they are the ones who are responsible for providing the daily care necessary for some of the most fragile members of society. The reason I suggest that Mr. Oke look for a more physical type of work is that he faces criminal charges relating to...
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Nursing Home Fails To Intervene In Case Involving Dementia Patient With A Known Suicidal Propensity
Nursing homes have an obligation to protect their patients from known dangers--- particularly those which may be self-inflicted. In the case of nursing home patients with dementia or psychological disorders, nursing homes must acknowledge the fact that many of these people are incapable of appreciating many of the environmental dangers inherent with institutional care or comprehend warnings from staff. An unfortunate of episode of a nursing home failing to intervene in the case of a patient with known self-destructive tendencies, has come to light with involving a Pennsylvania nursing home patient who recently commit suicide. According to news reports, the...
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PA Nursing Home Lawsuit Claims Facility Failed To Supervise & Implement Wheelchair Precautions
A nursing home negligence lawsuit has been filed against the Village at Luther Square Nursing Home after Edward O'Neil died from injuries allegedly sustained due to a fall from his wheelchair. According the the facts alleged in the lawsuit, staff at Village at Luther Square left O'Neil unattended in his wheelchair for several hours on July 5, 2008. During the unsupervised time, Mr. O'Neil's wheelchair tipped over onto him causing him to suffer a brain bleed and fractured neck. The lawsuit brought by Mr. O'Neil's estate, claims that staff at the nursing home failed to: provide visual checks, utilize appropriate...
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No Remorse From Admitted Elder Abuser
After ignoring two bench warrants and months on the run, Pennsylvania authorities have captured Henrietta Sprual, an self-admitted elder abuser. Sprual pleaded guilty to multiple charges of elder abuse including: simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, possession of and instrument of crime and making false statements to authorities in connection to an incident where she beat an Alzheimer's patient she was responsible for caring for at the Arden Court assisted living facility. An investigation into the incident revealed Sprual struck the elderly man six to eight times with a belt. Prosecutors have photographs of the man's bruises on his arms, elbow,...
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Nursing Home Cuts Jobs Of 14 Nurses
The Laurel Crest Rehabilitation & Special Care Center in Pennsylvania has recently cut the jobs of 14 nurses on its staff. These staff reductions, follow the recent dismissal of 39 other workers at this county-run nursing home. Cambria County officials say the home has enough staff to meet the state standards. The home's annual budget is based on an expected census of 274 patients. The home has 264 patients and its previous staffing level was enough for 350 patients. The home has been cited for various deficiencies in recent years, including a $27,560 fine when a virus similar to the...
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Recent Deaths Lead Officials To Shut Down Assisted Living Facility With Questionable Past
With two seemingly preventable patient deaths in recent weeks, officials have ordered Willow Crest Manor to be immediately shut down. An investigation of the deaths revealed multiple safety violations at the facility. "The department has determined that the conditions and the care provided here constitute an immediate danger to the residents," said Matt Jones of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. The recent deaths include: a 49-year-old resident who died from complications related to pressure sores on her legs and the unexplainable death of a 24-year old man with cerebral palsy patient who was found dead in his room by...
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Scabies Outbreak In Pennsylvania Nursing Home
Fifteen residents of the Gallagher Center of Saint Mary's Home in Erie, PA have developed what physicians believe was scabies, a contagious skin infection caused by skin mites. An unknown number of staff and patients' family members also developed the condition. The first case was reported in the spring, though most cases were reported in June and July according to the facility. The original patient was treated by a dermatologist, but other cases followed. Once the the nursing home realized that it was dealing with a scabies outbreak, every patient in the 39-bed Alzheimer's unit examined. The nursing home also...
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