As the elderly population grows, so too do the occurrences of nursing home neglect. Unfortunately, government budget cuts are on the rise as well. This causes nursing home staff to be spread too thin and because of this, mistakes are often made. Unfortunately, small oversights can lead to serious injury or even death. Nursing homes and long term care facilities need to be more aware of small changes to procedures that can save their residents’ lives.
Elderly Man Dies After Oxygen Tube gets Wrapped Around His Neck
An 82-year-old man from Illinois died this month at Heartland Healthcare nursing home. According to the police report, Irvin W. Brackett was found by nursing assistant Annette Payton at 10:30 p.m. on the floor with an oxygen tube and electrical cord wrapped around his neck and tied to an assistance lever that was hanging over his bed. Payton immediately called other nurses for help. They removed the constraints and began emergency resuscitation. An ambulance was called to help but nothing could be done and the nursing home called for the coroner at 12:16 a.m. Brackett was pronounced dead at the scene by the Knox County Coroner Mark Thomas. According to Thomas:
“We are unable to determine if it was something Mr. Brackett did intentionally, or it was simply an accident…He may have been trying to get out of bed. He was found halfway in and halfway out of the bed with the cord wrapped around his neck. We don’t have any exact reason to believe it was suicide.”
Whatever the reason was for his death, accident, suicide, or murder, the nursing home neglected Brackett. The elderly are vulnerable and very prone to accidents due to their physical weaknesses. The hospital should not have had those cords hanging above the bed where a patient could become tangled. Residents’ rooms should be clean and clear of any clutter, sharp objects, or things that the elderly can easily become tangled or trip over.
Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or long term care facility, pay attention to the layout of their room. If there is anything you see that you think may be hazardous to their safety, mention your concerns to the staff. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.