The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has completed its investigation of neglect concerns at St. Gertrude’s Health Center in Shakopee, Minnesota. The allegation of neglect was that, as a result of staff errors, the resident did not receive psychotropic medication doses for six days and insulin doses for the same days resulting in high blood glucose levels.
The MDH investigated the matter and found that St. Gertrude’s staff incorrectly entered the anti-depressant orders in the computer and two other staff who reviewed the orders failed to notice the error. As a result, she did not receive her anti-depressant medication for six days. The MDH also found that St. Gertrude’s staff incorrectly discontinued the resident’s insulin on the medication administration record causing her to miss four insulin doses. As a result of these two medication / transcription errors, the resident exhibited increased depression and elevated blood glucose levels. The MDH determined that St. Gertrude’s Health Center was responsible for neglect of the facility’s resident. [Case no. H5610019]
In a recent health inspection survey, St. Gertrude’s Health Center was cited with an above average number of health deficiencies. Also, in 2010, a lawsuit was filed by the Kosieradzki Smith Law Firm against St. Gertrude’s Health Center and other care providers by a resident who suffered permanent kidney damage. The complaint alleged that the nursing home failed to follow specific orders regarding lab tests and medication administration which contributed to her serious injury.
If you believe your loved one has been harmed due to a nursing home’s neglect, take action and contact the Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm online or call us toll-free at (877) 552-2873 to set up a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
