The California Department of Health Services issued the following press release:
Arden Rehabilitation and Health Center in Sacramento has received a 'AA' citation, the most severe under state law, and a $100,000 fine, the highest fine allowed under state law, from the state of California after an investigation by the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) concluded that poor care of an 84 year old resident led to his death, State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton announced today.
Records show that the resident had multiple health problems and required partial or total care for almost all daily living activities.
On June 25, 2005, the resident was transferred to an acute care hospital with massive and extensive bruising of upper and lower extremities and chest. He was readmitted to Arden Rehabilitation and Health Center on June 29, 2005, but returned to the hospital on July 2, 2005, after a change in level of consciousness. He died at the hospital on July 13, 2005. The coroner's report documented that the causes of death included evidence of bleeding into the brain as a result of blunt force head injury, multiple contusions of the extremities and torso and resultant bronchopneumonia.
The investigation determined that between August 2004 and June 2005, facility staff noted seven times that the resident had significant bruising and skin tears. Despite a facility policy that required injuries of unknown origin to be considered as possible abuse and each incident to be reported to CDHS, no such reports were made. There was no evidence of a prompt and thorough investigation of the injuries as required. The lack of required investigation of the suspicious bruising was determined to represent neglect. Investigators also concluded that the treating physician was not consistently notified of the suspicious evidence of bruising.
CDHS' investigation included observations of the facility, a review of medical records and multiple interviews with staff. A separate citation was also issued for failure to report instances of suspected abuse as required by state law. Arden Rehabilitation and Health Center has several options for appealing the citation and is not required to pay the fine until any appeal is completed.Contact: Mike Bowman, Lea Brooks, 916/440-7660.
Mike Bowman, Lea Brooks, 916/440-7660.
