Nursing Assistant’s License Suspended For Neglect
Patients who are in nursing homes need constant care. They need food, water, medications, and medical treatment. When a person does not get any of these necessities from their caregiver, they can suffer serious medical conditions and even die.
This was the case in Washington. One person died and another was hospitalized due to neglect at an adult family home. The nursing assistant who cared for the patients has been charged with patient neglect and the Washington State Department of Health has suspended her nursing license.
On June 8, the Department of Health’s Nursing Assistant Program issued the nursing assistant a notice of the charges. She was given time to respond legally. In September, her license was suspended pending further legal action by the Nursing Assistant Program.
The woman has been certified as a nursing assistant since 2011. The charges of neglect stem from patient cases in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, a cancer patient at the adult family home was hospitalized with sepsis due to poor wound care. She died after returning to the care facility. The adult family home never contacted hospice. When the patient died, they had multiple wounds.
The nursing assistant had another patient who she allegedly neglected. In 2022, the patient was hospitalized for 23 days to be treated for extensive wounds as a result of neglect.
What is Sepsis?
Any infection can lead to sepsis, which is the body’s response to the infection. Sepsis triggers a chain reaction throughout your body and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Sepsis often starts in the lung, urinary tract, or gastrointestinal tract. It can rapidly spread and lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Sepsis is most likely to be caused by bacterial infections. Sepsis can also be caused by the flu, COVID-19 or other viral or fungal infections. Most people who develop sepsis have an underlying medical condition, such as a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of sepsis include:
- Extreme pain
- High heart rate
- Weak pulse
- Fever
- Shivering
- Shortness of breath
- Sweaty skin
In this case, poor wound care led to an infection, which developed into sepsis. Skin serves as a protective barrier against bacteria. Any wound that isn’t properly cleaned and covered can allow bacteria to enter through the opening in the skin. This bacteria can be deadly, and medical staff who allow sepsis to occur can be held legally liable.
Keep Your License With Help From a Tampa Nursing License Lawyer
Nurses have a duty to provide comfort and care to patients. When they fail to do so, they can have actions taken against their license.
Keep your license with help from a Tampa nursing license lawyer from The Law Offices of David P. Rankin, P.A. I will work to resolve these matters successfully so you can continue with your profession. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (813) 968-6633.
Source:
nbcrightnow.com/news/franklin-county-nursing-assistants-license-suspended-after-charges-of-patient-neglect/article_fee41a4e-7a4e-11ee-9e88-5faaa7dfac0a.html
