Resident at Highland GW Choked to Death
Resident Choked at Highland GW LLC. The Minnesota Department of Health 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.
Resident at Highland GW LLC - Choked and Died During a Meal
The assisted living facility neglected the resident when the facility failed to provide supervision during a meal and the resident choked and died.
According to excerpts from the MDH report, during an interview, The Minnesota Department of Health determined neglect was substantiated. The facility and alleged perpetrator (AP) #1 and AP #2 were responsible for the maltreatment. Multiple unlicensed personnel (ULP), AP #1 and AP #2 (both registered nurses) failed to perform lifesaving medical care during an emergency after resident #1 choked during a meal in the dining room. Resident #1 required a pureed diet with honey thick liquids. Resident started to convulse in the dining room and ULP #1 lowered him to the floor. While resident #1 was on the floor in the dining room, resident #2 told multiple staff resident #1 stuffed another resident’s food in his mouth. The staff failed to provide abdominal thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver), or call emergency medical services and resident #1 died.
The facility’s emergency response policy included choking as an example of a significant emergency to call 911, however, the policy directed staff to call hospice if a resident who was hospice experienced an emergency and not 911. In conclusion, the Minnesota Department of Health determined neglect was substantiated.
For more of this MDH report about Highland GW, click here.
Contact An Experienced Attorney to Review Your Case
If you have questions or concerns about choking, asphyxiation or suffocation suffered by someone you love contact Attorney Kenneth LaBore for a Free Consultation at 612-743-9048.