Most New Yorkers may think of nursing homes as places where the elderly are placed when they can no longer care for themselves or live on their own. In some respects that is true, but nursing homes can also be temporary stays for patients while they recover from a medical issue. However, some patients become victims of nursing home neglect, which worsens their condition or results in their premature death. Neglect can occur when staff makes medication errors, fail to meet their basic needs or fail to provide medical aid.
A nursing home worker has resigned after a patient died. Allegedly, the worker failed to obtain any kind of emergency help for the patient when the patient became non-responsive while in a bathroom. The patient was a fairly new arrival at the facility with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When the patient was admitted, the facility was given written orders to contact 911 or initiate CPR if the patient should stop breathing or if the patient’s pulse should stop.
Now that worker has been implicated in the patient’s death and has resigned from the facility. According to information provided, the worker was not thinking clearly, due to tiredness, when the neglect took place. It is not yet known if any kind of charges will be filed against the worker.
People and their families who have been affected by nursing home neglect often consult with attorneys experienced in dealing with similar situations. Attorneys might suggest seeking compensation if the families’ concerns are not properly addressed.
Source: CBS Minnesota, “Worker Accused Of Neglect In Nursing Home Patient’s Death,” Feb. 6, 2013