An inhabitant of Mason City nursing home passed away after sustaining numerous injuries under suspicious circumstances. According to the doctors, the nature of the injuries was questionable, so an investigation into nursing facilities where the said man resided was initiated.
Incidents that Led to Resident’s Demise
As per the reports of the Lowa Dispatch, the incident happened at the Good Shephard Health Centre in Mason City, Lowa. According to the report, the State records indicated a male resident of the Good Shepard Health Centre allegedly fell to the floor at nearly 5.00 pm and immediately complained of pain in his ribs to the staff. As filed by the state inspectors, the registered nurse on duty did not check the man immediately, nor did he take him to the hospital. After almost an hour, the man spoke to his daughter by phone and informed him about the incident; this conversation led this daughter to request the father be sent to the hospital for a further checkup.
What Made the Doctors Suspicious About the Man’s Injuries?
After diagnosis at the hospital, the man sustained multiple injuries, including fractures in his vertebrae, shoulder, and left clavicle, 14 separate fractures around his ribs, collapsed and punctured lungs, neck and sac tissue around his heart, air trapped in his chest & other severe injuries. As per the hospital staff, the injuries were inconsistent with the description of the incident given by the facility. The report also stated that the emergency room physician was quoted saying, ‘never seen an injury so severe and it struck him as suspicious’.
Was There Any Previous Complaint Against the Facility?
The nursing home facility was also facing a previous lawsuit of wrongful death in 2016. The facility was ordered a $900,000 judgment due to a lack of staff. While looking into the matter, the state inspectors also dug up five complaints against the facility, all substantiated. As stated by the inspectors, they observed how the nurse at the facility spoke rudely to the resident’s family and derogatory behavior. The nursing home was evaluated for resident’s rights violations, quality of treatment & care, medication, and lack of staff.
Challenges of Understaffing
The Good Shepherd Home has a three-star rating or an average rating from the Centre for Medicare and Medicaid Service for their staffing capacity. The nursing home is owned by the non-profit organization Good Shepherd Geriatric Center of Mason City, led by CEO Ian Stockberger. Despite the allegations in terms of understaffing, the CEO opposes new stuffing mandates, citing financial strains and relying on temporary workers.
The organization has been in deep water for a long time. A lawsuit was filed against the nursing home, alleging inadequate care. A jury found the Good Shepherd negligent and awarded compensation to the victim’s family.
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