Personal Injury Law

Doctor At Sacramento Skilled Nursing Facility Sued For Elder Abuse, Part 6 of 8

By Moseley Collins, Esq.

(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of this wrongful death case and its proceedings.)

Despite repeated complaints from family members and assurances that Decedent's complaints of pain would be addressed, neither the nursing staff nor Dr. XY intervened in an effort to determine what was causing Decedent's deteriorating physical condition and pain.

On a visit in late October, family members were convinced Decedent was very ill. They demanded that decedent be transferred to a hospital. The nursing staff and Dr. XY refused to co-operate with the family. Because Eastern refused to seek medical attention for Decedent, and because Dr. XY failed to come to the facility to examine Decedent and refused to authorize a transfer to an acute care facility, the family called the paramedics to Eastern.

When paramedics arrived, the nursing staff refused to allow them entry to attend to Decedent. The family ultimately gained access to Eastern for paramedics. The family then fired Dr. XY and asked Dr. Steven W. to care for Decedent. Decedent was transferred to Olympic Medical Center.

?The nursing notes from Eastern compiled on the days leading up to her transfer to Olympic Hospital, an acute care hospital, forced upon Eastern by the family, read as if Decedent was awake, alert, with normal vital signs and eating a healthy diet. There is one mention of skin breakdown on her sacrum but no other indication that she is not well, in pain and not alert.

Full post as published by Sacramento Injury Lawyer Blog on July 13, 2009 (boomark / email).