The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has completed its investigation of abuse concerns at the Good Samaritan Society of Westbrook, a nursing home in Westbrook, Minnesota. A complaint was filed with the MDH alleging that a nursing assistant was repeatedly observed forcefully restraining a resident in a rough manner. The MDH investigated the matter and found that the allegation of abuse was substantiated. It was determined that the resident had received bruises on the arm, leg, and thigh over a three month period from rough restraint during incontinent cares. [Case no. H5595007]
The MDH determined that the facility is responsible for abuse of the facility’s resident: “The facility was aware of the resident’s combative behavior since the resident’s readmission to the facility three months prior to the allegation of abuse. The facility was aware of ongoing bruises. The facility failed to implement interventions to minimize the resident’s combative behaviors and risk of abuse. The facility lacked education to the direct care givers in how to manage combative behaviors. The resident exhibited combative behaviors for two months before the resident’s physician was notified.”
The Kosieradzki • Smith Law Firm represents clients in cases involving catastrophic injury caused by nursing homes and other care facilities that fail to provide proper care. If you believe your loved one has been harmed due neglect or abuse in a nursing home or other care facility, 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.
