Nursing home residents are often vulnerable and require others to care for them. New York City residents who place a loved one in a nursing home trust that staff members will care for them and look after their health and well-being. New York residents may be interested to learn about a nursing home in another state that is facing hefty fines after three deaths in recent months.
The nursing home was fined $8,000 in September after they failed to provide adequate care to a resident in a timely manner. A month later, another resident broke her hip. She broke her hip a second time four weeks later. When she was finally taken to the hospital, it was discovered that she had a urinary tract infection and high levels of sodium in her blood. Shockingly, she was also suffering from dehydration and malnourishment. She died a few days later.
In November, a resident at the same facility was experiencing respiratory problems. The 91-year-old woman’s daughter was denied after she requested that a nurse call her mother’s doctor in order for her to get a new medication. She was forced to go to the director of nursing with the request. Days later, her daughter had to plead with staff again in order for them to take her mother to the hospital. The 91-year-old was diagnosed with pneumonia at the hospital and died a few days later.
The nursing home in question has been fined $15,000 for failing to provide the patients with adequate care.
New York City residents whose loved ones have experienced similar kinds of neglect would be wise to consult with an experienced attorney. An attorney can help determine whether or not legal action may be appropriate.
Source: The Des Moines Register, “State fines nursing home after 3rd resident’s questionable death,” Clark Kauffman, Jan. 22, 2013
