California Nursing Home Penalized For Failing To Give Patients Their Medication

A nursing home in Modesto was penalized by the health department for failing to give medication to patients who has serious health issues.

According to a news report in the Modesto Bee, Vintage Faire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center failed to administer prescribed medication to patients who had serious health conditions such as blood infections, epilepsy, heart arrhythmia and breathing problems.

Between February 18 and July 31, the California Department of Public Health investigated several complaints against the nursing home and found several violations including not verifying the licenses of new hires, failure to maintain the dignity of residents, lapses in care for patients given oxygen and poor infection control.

Serious Violations

The health department fined the nursing home $12,740 for the safety violations including one where patients with sepsis had missed 33 doses of antibiotic therapy.

The Modesto Bee also reports that deficiencies at this particular nursing home are three times the national average. Health officials noted that a number of violations at the nursing home involved those that put patients in “immediate jeopardy,” which means that they could have resulted in death or serious harm to patients.

Health inspectors determined that three patients could have died or suffered serious injury from not receiving their prescribed medication and four others could have suffered health complications.

Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

A number of nursing homes keep their facilities understaffed and hire under-qualified aides in order to save money and maximize their profits. As a result, it is the vulnerable residents of the nursing home who suffer neglect and abuse in the hands of overworked, underpaid and incompetent staff members.

In this particular case, the nursing home could’ve seriously injured or killed several patients. And for all those violations that could have resulted in injuries and deaths, their penalty was a measly $12,740? Outrageous!

As California nursing home lawyers who represent the rights of injured victims and their families, we are angered and outraged by every instance of elder abuse that takes away a piece of a person’s dignity and well-being.

We are passionate about the pursuit of justice for our injured clients and families that entrust the care of their loved ones to nursing homes.

If you or a loved one has suffered neglect or abuse at nursing home or assisted living facility, please contact an experienced nursing home lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.