Elder Law

Resident?s Leg Amputated Following Nursing Home Negligence

By Levin & Perconti

Following gross negligence by a nursing home staff, a resident admitted for short-term rehabilitation at the facility had her leg amputated. The resident was admitted following surgery on a fractured ankle. The nursing home failed to take the resident to a follow-up appointment on time, and when they finally did take her, surgeons discovered that her wound was not healing correctly. A physician then ordered that the wound be monitored for infection and treated daily. The resident was also to receive an antibiotic.

The nursing home failed to follow these relatively simple orders. As a result, less than one week after the follow-up appointment, the resident was hospitalized and her leg subsequently amputated. The facility was cited for failure to meet professional standards of care and was fined. However, this incident is indicative of a broader issue with the low level of care provided by many nursing homes throughout the country demonstrating a need to secure residents? rights.

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Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on June 07, 2008 (boomark / email).