A woman, who was admitted to a skilled nursing facility for physical rehabilitation after hospitalization for back pain, was dropped by an unlicensed nursing assistant who attempted to move her from her wheelchair to a shower chair without help. The…
Fall Results in Death at Regency Healthcare Centre in Taylor, MI
A resident of Regency Healthcare Centre in Taylor fell and suffered a fractured leg. When theresident was found on the floor of her room, her alarm had been turned off and her bedside mat pressed against a table. This fall broke her femur…
Law-Den Nursing Home (Detroit, MI) failed to perform adequate fall and accident intervention resulting in death
Law-Den Nursing Home received several citations for failing to provide fall and accident intervention resulting in death or injury. On September 13, 2011 a resident died in the hospital after falls resulted in two broken leg bones. The resident was…
Iron County Medical Care Facility (Crystal Falls, MI) failed to protect resident from falls, resulting in hip fracture
On November 23, 2011, a resident fell while attempting to walk to the bathroom, unassisted, despite requiring stand-by assistance. While backing herself into the toilet, she became tangled up in her oxygen tubing, fell forward, and hit her head on…
Residents at Medilodge of Hillman experience 45 falls in a 3 month period
In a survey performed on December 21, 2011, a state investigator discovered that there were 45 falls at Medilodge of Hillman in a 3 month period. These 45 falls happened among only 11 residents. The state found that these falls…
Cass County Medical Care Facility cited as a result of three residents falling in one month
Cass County Medical Care Facility was cited in November of 2011 for serious violations concerning its inability to keep three of its residents safe from falls. After conducting an investigation, state surveyors found that the facility: (1) failed to follow…
Lahser Hills Care Centre fails to provide resident with assistance of two persons for transfers, resulting in fractured ankle
Despite requiring two person assistance for safe transfers, on November 4, 2011, a nursing assistant transferred a resident on her own and without a gait belt. During the transfer from her wheelchair to her bed, the resident almost fell and…
FEAR OF FALLING
A recent article in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society authored by a Dutch physician studied the syndrome known as Fear of Falling (FoF) which occurs in individuals who suffer a hip fracture. The articles focused on how fear…
UNNECESSARY FALLS
Every year, falls involving senior citizens take a tremendous toll on our society both in terms of physical and emotional injury as well as enormous economic expense. Many falls occur mechanically, i.e., people trip and fall over cords, rugs, furniture…
Taxpayers Pick Up the Check for Fall Related Injuries
A recent article by Nary W. Carter and Frank Porell in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society estimates that every year, 6.4 million people over the age of 65 suffer injuries requiring medical attention. Medicare spends 8 billion dollars per…