Details surfaced recently of a woman who died a week after being sent to a nursing home for a short rehabilitation stint in November 2013, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
State investigators blame Presbyterian Homes in Bloomington, saying the home was negligent in checking the patient and informing her doctor. The Minnesota Department of Heath said the patient “was not adequately monitored” and that her “call light was not answered timely,” according to the Star-Tribune.
The woman rapidly gained weight and suffered shortness of breath and anxiousness before dying a week into her nursing home stay. Her doctor was not notified of her health problems, which included needing supplemental oxygen, according to the Star-Tribune.
Here is an excerpt from the Health Department’s report, according to the Star-Tribune:
“The woman arrived from hospitalization and was admitted to the home for a “stay of less than a week,” before her anticipated return home. She had been suffering from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease.
At night, she became increasingly anxious and short of breath, prompting staff to supplement her oxygen supply.
During the morning of her last day alive, the staff failed to check her weight, as required. In her last 48 hours, she gained 9 pounds.
That evening, a staff member saw the woman sitting at the side of her bed, slumped over and unresponsive. Efforts to revive her failed.
Her doctor told investigators that staff “had an urgent reason” but did not alert the physician about the woman’s breathing trouble and other complications.
Family members told investigators they were troubled that they were not allowed to stay overnight with her and noted staff members’ “lack of response to call lights,” the report read.
Click here to review more details about the MDH investigation.
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, 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.
