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3 North Carolina Hospital Workers Fired for Neglect of Mental Patient Who Was Left in Chair Without Being Fed For Nearly 24 Hours

In North Carolina, officials have fired three workers at the Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro over the death of a 50-year-old mental patient. Roanoke Rapids resident Steven H. Sabock?s death made the headlines earlier this year because of surveillance footage showing hospital workers neglecting him for almost 24 hours while he sat slumped in a chair.

According to a report filed by the hospital?s nursing director, workers checked his vitals during this time period. However, the video does not show this happening. Instead, hospital workers are seen watching TV and playing cards. Sabock, who was suffering from a bipolar disorder, was also seen falling and striking his head. He also choked on his medication.

The surveillance footage also shows Sabock being taken away by paramedics. He died soon after. According to the North Carolina medical examiner?s office, Sabock?s cause of death was a pre-existing heart condition. Autopsy reports,however, indicate that there was fluid in his brain, which could be a sign of a brain injury. A federal report also states that the 50-year-old patient appeared to not have eaten much food in the three days leading up to his death.

Following Sabock?s death, a number of Cherry Hospital workers were disciplined over the incident, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services closed the ward.

Medicaid and Medicare withdrew $800,000 a month in reimbursements from the North Carolina hospital. In August, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation began a criminal probe into Sabock?s death.

This is not the only reported incident of abuse or neglect this year at Cherry Hospital. In August, two of its hospital workers were arrested for allegedly beating a patient. Earlier in the year, three other employees were also arrested and charged with assault crimes.

Unfortunately, patient abuse or neglect by hospital staffers and nursing home workers happens way too often in the United States. It is the hospital patients and nursing home residents who suffer when abuse or neglect leads to personal injury, deteriorating health, or wrongful death.

Three Employees Fired After Patient Chokes on Medicine, Dies, Foxnews.com, November 20, 2008

Patient appears neglected in hours before his death, WRAL.com, November 18, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Cherry Hospital

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Full post as published by North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog on November 20, 2008 (boomark / email).