Nursing Home Cited in Death of Resident Caused by Lack of Oxygen

An elderly female resident in Sac County, Iowa died last month because staff at the nursing home where she lived failed to replace her depleted oxygen tank. The fact that a patient could be neglected to such a degree is yet another alarming example of the substandard care issues seen in too many long-term care facilities today.

At PKSD, we believe it is important to keep families and their loved ones living in nursing homes informed. These types of incidents should never happen, but when they do, we strongly recommend seeking legal help to hold the at-fault parties accountable for your losses.

If you or a loved one were injured as a result of a careless nurse, inadequately trained workers or some other type of nursing home negligence, we are here to help you. Our law firm is deeply committed to seeking justice for the injured, and we have a proven history of success. Our nursing home abuse lawyers in Wisconsin are prepared to seek the maximum available compensation on your behalf. We also accept nursing home injury cases in Iowa and New Mexico.

Call our trusted law firm today to request a completely FREE case review. 414-333-3333

Odebolt Specialty Care Fined After Resident Died Due to a Lack of Oxygen

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing imposed a fine of $8,500 on Odebolt Specialty Care, the nursing home caring for the victim who died last month. This facility is operated by Care Initiatives, one of the largest nursing home chains in Iowa.

This tragic case unfolded when staff members arrived to help the elderly resident go to lunch but instead found her unresponsive and her oxygen tank depleted. The victim, an elderly woman with congestive heart failure, required constant oxygen. However, the nursing home failed to regularly check the woman’s oxygen tank or to replace it once it was depleted. Staff also failed to monitor the victim’s oxygen saturation levels, which were often far below dangerous levels.

Unfortunately, this failure caused the victim to suffer from critically low oxygen levels. Despite being transferred to a hospital, the victim later died due to an anoxic brain injury caused by the lack of oxygen.

State Inspectors Investigate the Facility

According to a recent news article, state inspectors investigated this incident, uncovering some disturbing details about this and other incidents at the facility.

Specific concerns included:

• Staff failure to check the victim’s oxygen tank to see whether it was depleted or turned on
• Failure to regularly take the victim’s vitals and check her oxygen saturation levels
• Failure to regularly check whether the victim was able to breathe properly
• Administrative failure to ensure workers received proper training
• Management failure to provide proper oversight of workers

In another incident at Odebolt, inspectors discovered that staff failed to provide proper wound care on the leg of another resident. As a result, this negligence caused the wound to worsen and “tunnel” into the woman’s flesh.

Need Legal Help for a Loved One Injured by Nursing Home Neglect? Call PKSD Today.

For families and elderly residents considering nursing home care, these incidents emphasize the importance of thoroughly researching facilities you may be considering. It is crucial that families remain proactive even after finding a facility to ensure your loved one receives the care he or she deserves.

If you suspect your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse or negligence, we urge you to seek legal help right away.

At PKSD, we have been helping victims of nursing home abuse and negligence for decades. Our highly skilled legal team has in-depth knowledge of the complexities of nursing home laws. We are prepared to thoroughly investigate your situation and work tirelessly to recover compensation for your loved one’s damages.

We have staff available to take your call 24/7. Call to request a free case review today. There are no upfront costs, and we do not get paid unless you do.

Our experienced lawyers are here to help you. Call: 414-333-3333