Jonathan Rosenfeld's Nursing Homes Abuse Blog : Jonathan Rosenfeld's Nursing Homes Abuse Blog | Lawyer & Attorney : Strellis & Field Law Firm | Bed Sores, Senior Neglect, Elder Abuse, Sexual Abuse: Chicago, Illinois

Criminal charges have been filed against Barbara Currin, the owner of Ometta Vent Care Services. The criminal charges come after a patient Currin was responsible for caring for, tipped off state officials she was not receiving the medical care that the state was paying for.  

The tip initiated an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Attorney General.  Both agencies concluded that Ometta was not keeping up its end of the bargain in proving skilled nursing services for vent patients.

According to Attorney General Lori Swanson said, "The nursing facility deprived patients who are very in need of health care of which they were entitled and then number two bilked tax payer of the a lot of money."

State investigators further determined that Ometta was proving poor care to their patients.  A June, 2008 investigation revealed 9 licensing violations relating to inadequate training and supervision.

Related:

Staff Must Be Diligent In Order To Avoid Clogged Breathing Tubes Amongst Nursing Home Patients

Nursing Home Fined For Negligent Care Of Resident On Ventilator

Sputum Color As Indicator Of The Quality Of Nursing Care

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The California Department of Pubic Health has imposed the maximum fine permitted under the law against Casa Bonita Convalescent Hospital in connection with the death of a ventilator dependent resident.  State regulators issued three citations against the facility for the 2007 death of the 90-year-old resident.  An investigation in the incident by state authorities determined poor care led to the woman's death when staff at the facility intentionally disconnected the woman from a ventilator and shut-off a remote alarm to notify staff of problems with the machine.  Read more abut this California nursing home here.

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 Who really likes to think about sputum or mucus?  Well, Thomas Sharon, R.N. at legalnurseconsultanttom.com points out that sputum color is an important factor to look at when evaluating the quality of breathing tube care.  Breathing tubes such as tracheostomies and ventilators are a common medical medical conditions for nurisng home and long-term care residents.  

Obviously, these medical condions require ongoing nursing care which is beyond the common knowledge of many nursing home residents and their families.  As nurse Tom discusses in his recent post, nurses must reposition and clean the breathing tube in order to prevent infection and medical complications.  There are many preventable medical complications in respiratory patients that may be easily identified by a family member or friend with common sense.  

Nurse Tom points out that the color and consistency of the sputum is frequently indicative of the quality of nursing care and may be used to identify potiential medical complications such as infection or suffocation.  Futher, the breathing noises are important to pay attention to as well, as congested raspy breathing noises usually demand immediate nursing attention.  

Below is the chart from Nurse Tom's site, demonstrating how to identify respiratory problems from the color and consistency of secretions.

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