A California nursing home was recently fined $100,000 for medical negligence after one of its patients died from a brain injury. The hospital was cited for failing to prevent a patient from falling twice and failing to treat the patient's brain injuries sustained from the falls.
The patient, an 85-year-old man with a heart condition and diabetes, was reportedly suppose to be using a walker and was to be supervised at all times when walking. According to an investigation launched by the state, they found that the Pilgrim Haven Health Facility in Los Altos failed to do just that. State investigators found that the staff failed to install an electronic fall monitor as ordered by the patient's doctor and failed to ensure that the patient's walker was within reach.
After the patient fell on Dec. 7, staff members denied that the patient had hit his head and an neurological evaluation was performed which came back normal. Later that evening, the patient woke up pale and began vomiting. Staff members allegedly did not assess him for possible head injuries nor did they contact his doctor for nearly two hours. The patient was finally transferred to a hospital where he died later the next day.
As a result of this incident, the state now requires the facility to ensure that all electronic fall devices are properly installed and working for other residents. Additionally, they are required to revisit their fall prevention policies with a licensed nurse.
Source: Los Angeles Times "Northern California nursing home is fines $100,000 over patient's death" 08/08/2010
