Facility only fined 13,300 for neglect resulting in choking death
The Syracuse Post Standard had an article recently discussing the (small) fine that a nursing home received for neglecting a resident who died as a result of choking. How could they levy such a small fine for a preventable death?
The government fined a Minoa nursing home $13,300 for failing to provide prompt emergency care to a choking resident who died. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said The Crossings put residents in immediate jeopardy and provided substandard quality of care, the most serious deficiencies.
The Crossings was one of four nursing homes in the region fined for poor care between June 1 and Sept. 19, according to the Long Term Care Community Coalition. The fine against The Crossings stems from an Oct. 15, 2007, incident involving a resident: The report said:
The woman was served a dinner of blueberry pancakes and sausage that a nurse aide cut into bite-sized pieces. A short time later, the aide noticed the women's mouth was open, she was not breathing and her lips were blue. The aide failed to call a "code blue," an announcement that alerts all staff to an emergency situation and summons them to provide assistance. It also activates the 911 system. The aide also failed to start the Heimlich maneuver. A licensed practical nurse who came to help did not take these steps, either. The registered nurse supervisor who arrived on the scene did not immediately call a "code blue" or 911.
I wonder what "a short time later" means? I am surprised the nursing home did not claim that the resident had a DNR so they did not need to intervene!!
