State Investigation Underway Regarding Resident’s Death in Massachusetts Nursing Home
The administration at a Massachusetts nursing home recently sent a letter to residents, their families, and staff members calling the death of a long-term resident involved in an event with a certified nursing assistant at the facility “an isolated incident.”
While no details about the incident and subsequent resident death were made available, the facility is now under review and the subject of various enforcement actions by the State Department of Public Health (DPH). The facility’s administrator reported that the aide involved is no longer employed at the nursing home.
The administrator also told news reporters that the facility’s staff has undergone additional training, and that the facility has implemented new safety measures related to the incident. The facility is also not accepting any new admissions until the investigation is completed.
When contacted, a DPH spokesperson gave a statement confirming their investigation of the incident and noted that there have not been any past issues with the facility. The spokesperson reported that after the serious incident occurred on Sept. 15, the DPH “immediately conducted an unannounced onsite inspection to ensure the health and safety of residents, imposed a freeze on admissions, and continues to work with the nursing home on a corrective action plan to address identified deficiencies.”
Compliance Perspective
Failing to have adequate safety measures in place or to have staff well-trained on policies and procedures for ensuring the safety of residents when care is being provided may be considered provision of substandard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures designed to ensure the adequacy and implementation of safety protocols and training designed to protect each individual resident.
- Train staff on the actions to follow to ensure the safety of each unique resident and to prevent incidents between residents and employees or others that lead to resident injuries or even death.
- Periodically audit to determine if training and safety guideline policies are being followed to ensure the individual safety needs of each resident are being met.
