Personal Injury Law

Elder Abuse At Sacramento Convalescent Home Results In Death, Part 7 of 8

By Moseley Collins, Esq.

(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of this wrongful death case and its proceedings.)

Nursing notes written approximately six hours before Ms. Fine's family called the paramedics include the following entries: "Resident alert and responsive. Fluids tolerated well. Vital signs normal, no pain. No shortness of breath. No acute distress at this time. Dr. XY aware of recent lab results. Resident resting in bed, turned every two hours for comfort..."

Dr. W's notes from ABC Hospital compiled in the Emergency Department, minutes after Claire Fine left Eastern, tell a very different story. The hospital records describe Claire Fine as dehydrated, in shock due to an infection with a blood pressure of 63/37, and suffering from kidney failure. She had a feeding tube in place that was not being used to feed her. She had poor skin turgor, decubitus ulcers and contractures. Dr. W. had originally asked that she be transferred to University Medical Center but her condition was so critical that the paramedics took her to ABC Hospital because it was closer to Eastern

Dr. W. stated in his notes that Decedent was unable to respond to his questions. Perhaps the most disturbing finding was rhabdomyolysis, a condition caused by the breakdown in muscle tissue releasing a compound toxic to the kidneys. The condition occurs when a person is left to lie in one place for prolonged periods of time. Dr. W. felt rhabdomyolysis had been present for about one week. The nursing home was unable to reach Dr. XY, who returned a call placed to him by the nursing home only after Decedent had been transferred by paramedics. She died 10 days later. Claire was 53 years of age. Records indicate that she had been suffering from cancer for over one year that had gone undiagnosed and untreated.

Full post as published by Sacramento Injury Lawyer Blog on July 16, 2009 (boomark / email).