The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has completed its investigation of neglect concerns at the Koda Living Community, a nursing home in Owatonna, Minnesota. A complaint was filed with the MDH alleging that a resident was neglected when staff transferred the resident in a manner not in accordance with the resident’s care plan. The resident fell while being transported in a wheelchair and sustained injuries.
The MDH investigated the matter and found that the nursing home’s staff did not follow the care plan for the resident. Three days prior to the fall, the resident was assessed for the use of foot pedals on the wheelchair due to increased weakness. Progress notes document that the resident was not able to self-propel in the wheelchair and was unable to keep the resident’s feel off the ground during a transport.
On the day of the fall, the foot pedals were not placed on the wheelchair, and staff stated that they were not aware the foot pedals were required for transporting the resident. The information was not communicated to the staff, or included on the nursing assistant worksheet as a new intervention for the resident. While being wheeled to the dining room by staff, the resident’s feet dropped to the floor, which propelled the resident forward out of the wheelchair and onto the floor.
The resident sustained head and facial injuries, and was sent to the hospital. The resident was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, fracture of the vertebrae, a fracture of the neck, and a nose laceration. The resident was admitted to a hospice care facility. The resident died five days after the fall.
The MDH determined that the facility is responsible for neglect of the facility’s resident. [Case no. H5426022]
Medicare rates nursing homes, including this 79-bed nursing home facility. Medicare has assigned an overall rating to Koda Living Community as a “below average” facility. In addition, Medicare has assigned an overall rating to Koda Living Community as a “much below average” facility based on the government’s health inspections of the facility.
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.
