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WBBM Newsradio is reporting on a tragedy that occurred this past weekend at a Chicago Nursing Home. On Sunday evening, a 51-year-old woman who was a patient at Warren Park Nursing Pavilion was taken to Saint Frances Hospital when she was discovered unresponsive in a bathtub at the facility.
Authorities at Saint Frances pronounced the woman was dead upon her arrival at the hospital. An autopsy performed by the Cook County Medical Examiner determined that the woman died from drowning.
Chicago police detectives are currently investigating this matter to determine more information about the drowning.
While certainly not a common occurrence in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, many patients– particularly those suffering from mental and physical disabilities– are at risk for downing during bathing or recreational activities. In order to minimize the risk of drowning, staff should identify those who may be at risk an provide supervision to prevent drownings.
Nursing home injuries, such as this downing, deserve to be investigated by the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH). Many times, investigations completed by IDPH are extremely useful in the prosecution of civil lawsuits against the facilities. The IDPH has investigated other incidents at Warren Park, you can view some of the findings here.
Related:
Jean Engstrom, 51, Dies in Tub Drowning Incident at Rogers Park Nursing Home, My Fox Chicago, July 5, 2010