Resident Declines After Fall at Diamond Willow
Diamond Willow assisted living. According to excerpts from a report from the Minnesota Department of Health, they investigated an allegation of maltreatment, in accordance with the Minnesota Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults Act, Minn. Stat. 626.557, and to evaluate compliance with applicable licensing standards for the provider type.
The alleged perpetrator (AP), facility staff, neglected the resident when the AP did not follow the resident’s plan of care, falsely documented services were completed, and the resident fell from a mechanical lift.
Fall from Standing Lift at Diamond Willow Assisted Living
The Minnesota Department of Health determined neglect was substantiated against Diamond Willow.
The facility was responsible for the maltreatment. Facility licensed staff failed to accurately assess and care plan in order to provide the resident with appropriate transfer assistance following the resident’s change in condition. As a result, the resident fell from a standing lift.
The resident resided in an assisted living memory care unit. The resident’s diagnoses included dementia. The resident’s service plan included assistance with medication administration and activities of daily living (ADL’s). The resident’s assessment indicated the resident was disoriented daily, had a lumbar (low back) fracture, was a full code (CPR), was dependent on staff for wheelchair mobility, and oxygen assistance.
The resident’s record indicated the resident was hospitalized for pain from a compression fracture (break in the bones of the back causing a collapse) and returned to the facility.
Discharge instructions from the first hospitalization included a specialized orthopedic back brace, several new pain medications, supplemental oxygen, and two staff for all transfers.
According to the MDH report, during an interview, licensed staff stated the resident had many changes and two hospitalizations a couple weeks apart. Licensed staff stated the resident had several pain medications added after the first hospitalization. Licensed staff stated the second hospitalization occurred when the resident fell out of a standing lift. Licensed staff stated unlicensed staff had reported the resident had increased weakness and difficulty hanging on to
the standing lift, however, it was the facility policy that each resident provide their own Hoyer lift (mechanical lift utilizes a body sling for transfers). Licensed staff stated she observed the resident’s lethargy, leaning to one side and shallow breathing, however, had not changed transfer directives to a Hoyer lift because therapy had not made a recommendation for a Hoyer lift. Licensed staff stated she left for vacation two days prior to the fall and was unable to
observe every transfer. Licensed staff stated a second licensed staff shared the responsibility of overseeing transfers and updating care plans.
Contact An Experienced Attorney to Review Your Case
If you have questions or concerns about fall or fracture from a mechanical lift suffered by someone you love contact Attorney Kenneth LaBore for a Free Consultation at 612-743-9048.