Substantiated Allegations of Abuse to Wheelchair Bound Client at Triple Angels Healthcare in Cottage Grove Minnesota
Triple Angels Healthcare in Cottage Grove Cited By MDH
In a report from the Minnesota Department of Health, dated December 30, 2016, it is alleged that a client at Triple Angels Healthcare was physically abused when the alleged perpetrator (AP) restrained the client’s hands behind the wheelchair, pinning the client’s arms. In addition, the client was emotionally abused when the AP left the client in a bathroom without assistance, although the client was yelling for help.
Abuse Substantiated at Triple Angels Healthcare
Based on a preponderance of the evidence, abuse occurred when the alleged perpetrator (AP) hit the client on the right arm, causing bruising, and unreasonably confined the client by positioning the client’s arms in a way that limited the client’s movement.
At the time of the incident, the client had received services from the home care provider for six weeks. The client had a history of yelling and hitting staff. The client was wheelchair bound but able to maneuver the wheelchair independently. The client required supervision of one staff while in the community.
On the day of the incident, the client and the AP were at a medical clinic for an appointment. When the appointment was completed, their return to transportation was delayed.
Due to the unforeseen delay, the client became agitated, yelling more frequently, and made repeated attempts to roll the wheelchair out of the building. Witnesses described the AP as disengaged and annoyed by the client’s behavior. The AP sat in the waiting area and, as necessary, got up and pulled the client’s wheelchair back to the building.
The client’s yelling of profanities caught the attention of another individual at the clinic. This individual observed the AP hit the client on the right mid-arm area several times, heard the client say “Don’t you hit me!” and her the AP say I am going to lock you in the bathroom.” The AP then pushed the client, in the wheelchair, down a hall. The witness heard a door close and the sound of someone yelling “Help! Help!” The witness walked down the hall to the direction of the voices, and saw the client sitting in a wheelchair outside of the bathroom with his/her arms in a position described by the witness as “jammed in the wheelchair so [s/he] could not move them.” The client’s right upper arm was put behind him/her and positioned over the back of the right upper area of the wheelchair and tucked under the left wheelchair handle. With the client’s arm incapacitated, s/he could no longer maneuver the wheelchair. The client then asked the witness, “could you take my arms out please?” The witness released the client’s arms from the wheelchair handles.
Another witness, a clinic employee, observed the AP grab one of the client’s arms, position it backwards and wedge it under one of the wheelchair handles. The AP then rolled the client down a hallway in the wheelchair they were out of sight. The clinic employee then heard the client yelling for help.
Three days after the incident, bruises on the client’s right arm and hand, as well as bruises on both upper arms, were still present.
The AP was interviewed, and denied hitting or restraining the client. The AP acknowledged bringing the client to the bathroom to calm him/her down. The AP said s/he left the bathroom for less than a minute to check to see if their transportation had arrived.
Neglect of Health Care at Triple Angels Healthcare Cottage Grove Minnesota
Triple Angels Healthcare Cottage Grove Complaint Findings for Neglect
In a report concluded on December 13, 2013, the Minnesota Department of Health cites Triple Angels Healthcare Cottage Grove for neglect of health care and supervision.
Note: The facility has requested a reconsideration of the maltreatment finding see the MDH website for the most current information.
Although the allegation is abuse occurred, the findings do not meet the definition of abuse. Although abuse is not substantiated, based on a preponderance of the evidence, neglect is substantiated related to the licensee’s failure to provide the health care and supervision to maintain the client’s physical and mental health and safety. The licensee failed to administer the client’s psychotropic medications for at least a month; failed to ensure staff did not cause bruising to the client when assisting the client; failed to provide the 1:1 supervision the client required and the client sustained a back eye.
It is alleged that the licensee failed to administer the client’s psychotropic medications for at least a month; failed to ensure staff did not cause bruising to client when assisting the client; failed to provide the 1:1 supervision the client required.
Interview with the registered nurse (RN) indicated that in two and one half months the client had resided at the facility, personal items had been removed from the client’s room because of the client’s behavior and for her safety. The RN confirmed that the client had not been receiving her benztropine, clonazepam, clozapine and lamotrigine as prescribed. The RN stated s/he had been trying to get the client an appointment to see a psychiatrist to reorder the client’s psychotropic medications to assist in treating the client’s mental illness.
For more information from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints concerning nursing homes, assisted living and other elder care providers view resolved complaints at the MDH website.
If you have concerns about medication errors, physical abuse or any other form of elder abuse or neglect contact Attorney Kenneth LaBore at 1-888-452-6589 or by email at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.
