By Walter F. Roche Jr.
After the credentialed staff literally walked away, unqualified staff at an East Stroudsburg Hospital were left to administer anesthesia to an unidentified patient suffering a severe asthma attack.
That was the conclusion of officials from the Pennsylvania Health Department after conducting interviews and reviewing rcords at the 237-bed Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono.
According to a report recently made public the incident occurred on Oct. 14 when the patient had difficulty breathing and nursing staff sought assistance from the anesthesia department.
Though two qualified anesthesia staffers came to the Intensive Care Unit and brought a anesthesia machine with them, they then left.
"CF5 and CF6 refused to stay with MR1 (the patient), the report states. "They left the ICU."
The state surveyors found that the treatment of the patient resulted in multiple violations of hosital policy and accepted treatment standards. Those included failure to have a written physician's order for anesthesia and failure to perform a pre-anesthesia evaluation of the patient.
The hospital "failed to ensure a qualified practitioner monitored a patient receiving a general anesthetic," the report states.
The hospital did file a plan of correction in which they promised to re-educate staff on the required standards for anesthesia administration, including the requirement for a written order from a qualified physician.
Hospital officials did not respond to a request for comment.
After CF5 and CF6 walked away, the patient's primary nurse refused to administer the anesthesia leaving CF2 and CF3 to oversee the anesthesia administration which extended from 6:57 p.m. to 1:32 a.m.
"CF2 and CF3 did not have privileges to administer general anesthesia," the report states.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Woman Administered Wrong Medication
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
A woman who went to a Pittsburgh hospital for a Cesaerean section was "inadvertently" given the wrong medication, according to a report from the state Health Department.
The woman was admitted to the West Penn Hospital in early August for the C-section and a tubal ligation, state surveyors found.
The patient was inadvertently given 450 micrograms of an intravenous preparation containing digoxin into her central spine fluid which was followed by 15 miligrams of lidocaine.
Two physicians responsible for the error failed to follow the hospitals policies relating to "the administration and automated dispensing of medications," the Oct. 8 report states.
The report does not indicate what effect the error had on the patient. "We are confident that the steps we have taken to address these issues will prevent future such events from occurring," said hospital spokesman Dan Laurent.
He said patient privacy rules bar the discloure of specific case details.
In a plan of correction, the hospital said it would institute a re-education program for anesthesia staff and monitor inventory to detect any errors.
The same hospital was cited a day earlier for failing to re-assess the conditions of three patients who had been placed in restraints at least once every two hours. The three patients were among five patient records reviewed by the Health Department inspectors.
The hospital's plan of correction calls for staff re-education on the proper use of restraints and a daily review of records to ensure compliance.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
A woman who went to a Pittsburgh hospital for a Cesaerean section was "inadvertently" given the wrong medication, according to a report from the state Health Department.
The woman was admitted to the West Penn Hospital in early August for the C-section and a tubal ligation, state surveyors found.
The patient was inadvertently given 450 micrograms of an intravenous preparation containing digoxin into her central spine fluid which was followed by 15 miligrams of lidocaine.
Two physicians responsible for the error failed to follow the hospitals policies relating to "the administration and automated dispensing of medications," the Oct. 8 report states.
The report does not indicate what effect the error had on the patient. "We are confident that the steps we have taken to address these issues will prevent future such events from occurring," said hospital spokesman Dan Laurent.
He said patient privacy rules bar the discloure of specific case details.
In a plan of correction, the hospital said it would institute a re-education program for anesthesia staff and monitor inventory to detect any errors.
The same hospital was cited a day earlier for failing to re-assess the conditions of three patients who had been placed in restraints at least once every two hours. The three patients were among five patient records reviewed by the Health Department inspectors.
The hospital's plan of correction calls for staff re-education on the proper use of restraints and a daily review of records to ensure compliance.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Death Toll Rises in PA Veterans Homes
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
The death toll from the Coronavirus has climbed to 69 in six nursing homes for veterans run by the state of Pennsylvania and only one of the six has avoided any deaths.
Data supplied today by a spokeswoman for the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs show that in addition to the 42 deaths already disclosed at a Chester County facility Covid-19 deaths have occurred in state run homes from Erie to Pittsburg to Philadelphia.
Joan Nissley, the agency spokeswoman said 13 residents at the Delaware Valley Veterans Center died from the virus while nine died at the veterans center in Hollidaysburg.
Three died at the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh while two died from the virus at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Center in Erie.
Only the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton has avoided any Covid-19 deaths "We take every case of COVID-19 very seriously as our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our residents and the staff who serve them," Nissley said.
She noted taken since the pandemic began a number of steps have been taken to improve safety including restricting visitors, cancelling outings, discontinuing group activities, ceasing the use of volunteers, conducting daily health screenings for employees, more frequent cleaning of commonly touched objects, and putting new admissions on hold.
She also cited the fact that inspections at all the facilties by state Health Department surveyors found them in compliance with state and federal Covid-19 requirements. Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
The death toll from the Coronavirus has climbed to 69 in six nursing homes for veterans run by the state of Pennsylvania and only one of the six has avoided any deaths.
Data supplied today by a spokeswoman for the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs show that in addition to the 42 deaths already disclosed at a Chester County facility Covid-19 deaths have occurred in state run homes from Erie to Pittsburg to Philadelphia.
Joan Nissley, the agency spokeswoman said 13 residents at the Delaware Valley Veterans Center died from the virus while nine died at the veterans center in Hollidaysburg.
Three died at the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh while two died from the virus at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Veterans Center in Erie.
Only the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton has avoided any Covid-19 deaths "We take every case of COVID-19 very seriously as our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of our residents and the staff who serve them," Nissley said.
She noted taken since the pandemic began a number of steps have been taken to improve safety including restricting visitors, cancelling outings, discontinuing group activities, ceasing the use of volunteers, conducting daily health screenings for employees, more frequent cleaning of commonly touched objects, and putting new admissions on hold.
She also cited the fact that inspections at all the facilties by state Health Department surveyors found them in compliance with state and federal Covid-19 requirements. Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Monday, November 16, 2020
Covid-19 Hits Another PA Vet Home.
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
The coronavirus has hit another Pennsylvania veterans home pushing the total of Covid-19 deaths in the six facilities to at least 46.
A report posted today by the state Health Department lists five deaths at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Center, a 257-bed facility in Blair County.
Previously 43 Covid-19 deaths had been reported at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City Chester County.
There has also been at least one Covid-19 death at the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh. (Under the Health Department system nursing homes report 1 to 4 deaths with an asterisk.)
The deaths at the Chester County facility has prompted calls for an investigation. Two top officials at the facility were removed.
At the Hollidaysburg facility the Health Department report states that there are currently 185 patients at the 257-bed nursing home. Twenty-one residents have tested positive for the virus along with 22 employees.
In the immediately prior report issued last week no deaths were reported while nine patients had tested positive along with 13 employees.
In the most recent inspection of the Blair County home state Health Department surveyors concluded that a Covid-19 focused inspection in mid-July found no deficiencies.
The new data on the state veterans homes come as other state health data shows a resurgence of infections and Covid-19 deaths is happening in many of the state's nursing homes.
In a press briefing today Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley reported that after a lull, Covid-19 cases in nursing homes were once again on the rise.
Contact:wfrochejr999@gmail.com
The coronavirus has hit another Pennsylvania veterans home pushing the total of Covid-19 deaths in the six facilities to at least 46.
A report posted today by the state Health Department lists five deaths at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Center, a 257-bed facility in Blair County.
Previously 43 Covid-19 deaths had been reported at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City Chester County.
There has also been at least one Covid-19 death at the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh. (Under the Health Department system nursing homes report 1 to 4 deaths with an asterisk.)
The deaths at the Chester County facility has prompted calls for an investigation. Two top officials at the facility were removed.
At the Hollidaysburg facility the Health Department report states that there are currently 185 patients at the 257-bed nursing home. Twenty-one residents have tested positive for the virus along with 22 employees.
In the immediately prior report issued last week no deaths were reported while nine patients had tested positive along with 13 employees.
In the most recent inspection of the Blair County home state Health Department surveyors concluded that a Covid-19 focused inspection in mid-July found no deficiencies.
The new data on the state veterans homes come as other state health data shows a resurgence of infections and Covid-19 deaths is happening in many of the state's nursing homes.
In a press briefing today Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley reported that after a lull, Covid-19 cases in nursing homes were once again on the rise.
Contact:wfrochejr999@gmail.com
CHOP Doubled Up NICU Patients
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
For a little over a month the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia doubled up the patients in the facilities neonatal intensive care unit in violation of state regulations.
State Health Department inspectors found that the doubling up began Sept. 2 and continued until Oct. 2 as workers at the facility were working on upgraded to the neonatal facilities..
In the report dated Oct. 2 the state surveyors cited a state regulation barring health facilities from admitting patients for which there was insufficient space.
"The number of patients admitted to any area of the hospital shall not exceed the number which the area is designed, equipped and staffed," the report states.
The hospital did not respond to questions about the report but in a plan of correction filed in response to the state report they reported that the remediation project had been completed and had passed a state inspection.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
For a little over a month the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia doubled up the patients in the facilities neonatal intensive care unit in violation of state regulations.
State Health Department inspectors found that the doubling up began Sept. 2 and continued until Oct. 2 as workers at the facility were working on upgraded to the neonatal facilities..
In the report dated Oct. 2 the state surveyors cited a state regulation barring health facilities from admitting patients for which there was insufficient space.
"The number of patients admitted to any area of the hospital shall not exceed the number which the area is designed, equipped and staffed," the report states.
The hospital did not respond to questions about the report but in a plan of correction filed in response to the state report they reported that the remediation project had been completed and had passed a state inspection.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Covid-19 Still Grows in PA Nursing Homes
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Data collected by state health officials show deaths from Covid-19 have continued to grow in state licensed nursing homes even as attention has shifted to other victim groups including those in the 19-24 age group.
The data collected by the state Health Department shows 70 nursing homes have reported 20 or more deaths from the Coronavirus. The most deaths, 94, were reported at the Fair Acres Nursing Home in Lima Delaware County.
Overall some 3,850 patients have died from Covid-19 in Pennsylvania licensed nursing homes, according to the latest report dated Nov. 4 from the state agency.
That represents a substantial jump from the 3,200 deaths reported by Aug. 1. A review of the latest report compared to the one issued Oct. 27 shows that while most homes had no or modest increases in Covid-19 deaths, some reported substantial increases in a short period of time..
The Lafayette Redeemer Nursing Home in Philadelphia listed 25 Covid-19 deaths in its Nov. 4 report, but had reported no Covid-19 deaths Oct. 27.
The Manorcare Health Services home in Wallingford had reported no Covid deaths in late October but listed 34 a week later. The latest report shows nine Manorcare facilities had 20 or more Covid-19 deaths.
Many homes across the state were listed as providing no data on deaths in the late October report but listed substantial numbers on Nov. 4.
Those include the Saint Ignatius Nursing and Rehabilitation which reported no data in October and 23 Covid-19 deaths on Nov. 4. Saint John Neumann Center, also in Philadelphia listed no data in October and 37 Covid-19 deaths a week later.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Data collected by state health officials show deaths from Covid-19 have continued to grow in state licensed nursing homes even as attention has shifted to other victim groups including those in the 19-24 age group.
The data collected by the state Health Department shows 70 nursing homes have reported 20 or more deaths from the Coronavirus. The most deaths, 94, were reported at the Fair Acres Nursing Home in Lima Delaware County.
Overall some 3,850 patients have died from Covid-19 in Pennsylvania licensed nursing homes, according to the latest report dated Nov. 4 from the state agency.
That represents a substantial jump from the 3,200 deaths reported by Aug. 1. A review of the latest report compared to the one issued Oct. 27 shows that while most homes had no or modest increases in Covid-19 deaths, some reported substantial increases in a short period of time..
The Lafayette Redeemer Nursing Home in Philadelphia listed 25 Covid-19 deaths in its Nov. 4 report, but had reported no Covid-19 deaths Oct. 27.
The Manorcare Health Services home in Wallingford had reported no Covid deaths in late October but listed 34 a week later. The latest report shows nine Manorcare facilities had 20 or more Covid-19 deaths.
Many homes across the state were listed as providing no data on deaths in the late October report but listed substantial numbers on Nov. 4.
Those include the Saint Ignatius Nursing and Rehabilitation which reported no data in October and 23 Covid-19 deaths on Nov. 4. Saint John Neumann Center, also in Philadelphia listed no data in October and 37 Covid-19 deaths a week later.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Philly Nursing Home Makes Corrections
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Philadelphia health officials say they have corrected deficiencies at a city-owned nursing home that were uncovered following the suicide attempt of a despondent Covid-19 patient.
Agency spokesman James Garrow said the nursing home had submitted a plan of correction to the state Health Department and after the plan was approved by the state it was fully implemented.
The deficiencies at the more than 400-bed facility were cited in a detailed report on the suicide attempt by an unnamed male patient. Although a physician had made a referral for psychiatric help more than two weeks earlier due to the patient's suicidal ideations, none had been provided when the patient attempted suicide on Aug. 24.
The patient was found at 5:30 a.m. with a cord around his neck. He was hospitalized until Sept. 1 and then returned to the W. Girard Avenue facility.
A psychiatric referral only came after the suicide attempt.
Garrow said the agency, due to confidentiality rules, could not provide any information on the current status of the patient.
Garrow also declined to provide any information on the number of patients at the city nursing home who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and how many have died from the virus.
Nonetheless reports filed with the state Health Department show 130 residents of the home have been diagnosed with the virus and 11 of them have died.
In its report on the incident, state Health Department surveyors concluded, "It was determined that the facility failed to maintain the highest practicable mental and psycho-social well being."
The nursing home's plan of correction included re-education programs for staff members on the proper treatment of suicidal patients and renewed efforts to identify patients who may be considering suicide.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Philadelphia health officials say they have corrected deficiencies at a city-owned nursing home that were uncovered following the suicide attempt of a despondent Covid-19 patient.
Agency spokesman James Garrow said the nursing home had submitted a plan of correction to the state Health Department and after the plan was approved by the state it was fully implemented.
The deficiencies at the more than 400-bed facility were cited in a detailed report on the suicide attempt by an unnamed male patient. Although a physician had made a referral for psychiatric help more than two weeks earlier due to the patient's suicidal ideations, none had been provided when the patient attempted suicide on Aug. 24.
The patient was found at 5:30 a.m. with a cord around his neck. He was hospitalized until Sept. 1 and then returned to the W. Girard Avenue facility.
A psychiatric referral only came after the suicide attempt.
Garrow said the agency, due to confidentiality rules, could not provide any information on the current status of the patient.
Garrow also declined to provide any information on the number of patients at the city nursing home who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and how many have died from the virus.
Nonetheless reports filed with the state Health Department show 130 residents of the home have been diagnosed with the virus and 11 of them have died.
In its report on the incident, state Health Department surveyors concluded, "It was determined that the facility failed to maintain the highest practicable mental and psycho-social well being."
The nursing home's plan of correction included re-education programs for staff members on the proper treatment of suicidal patients and renewed efforts to identify patients who may be considering suicide.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Monday, November 2, 2020
Philly Owned Facility Cited in Suicide Attempt
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Officials at the city owned Philadelphia Nursing Home failed to get a physician ordered psychological consult for a despondent Covid-19 patient for more then two weeks resulting in an attempted suicide.
The patient was found at 5:30 a.m on Aug. 24 15 days after a physician ordered the psychology consult due to the patient's repeated suicidal ideations.
Details of the case are laid out in a complaint investigationn report from the state Health Department which concluded that the nursing home failed "to ensure that Resident 1 received the appropriate treatment and services, preventing the resident from trying to commit suicide."
In a plan of corection filed by the nursing home in reponse to the state report facility officials said the unnamed patient was finally referred for psychiatric services on the day of his suicide attempt and he was hospitalized until Sept. 1.
The plan of correction also calls for re-education programs for staff members on the proper handling of patients contemplating suicide.
Philadelphia Health Department officials did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the state report there were several warnings that the patient was considering suicide including a day when he pleaded to a staffer, "Suicide! Suicide me."
Another warning came when the patient underwent an annual assessment on Aug. 5 and the physician, citing an increase in episodes of anxiety as evidenced by panic attacks, recommended a referral to a psychiatrist.
"Resident states that he believes he is going to die," a staffer wrote in the patient's record.
When state surveyors questioned the director of nursing about the case the official acknowledged that "to date the psychology consults had not been completed as ordered by a physician."
"It was determined that the facility failed to maintain the highest practicable mental and psycho-social well being," the report states.
According to data from the state Health Department 11 residents of the city owned nursing home have died from Covid-19. A total of 130 residents at the 402-bed facility have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Officials at the city owned Philadelphia Nursing Home failed to get a physician ordered psychological consult for a despondent Covid-19 patient for more then two weeks resulting in an attempted suicide.
The patient was found at 5:30 a.m on Aug. 24 15 days after a physician ordered the psychology consult due to the patient's repeated suicidal ideations.
Details of the case are laid out in a complaint investigationn report from the state Health Department which concluded that the nursing home failed "to ensure that Resident 1 received the appropriate treatment and services, preventing the resident from trying to commit suicide."
In a plan of corection filed by the nursing home in reponse to the state report facility officials said the unnamed patient was finally referred for psychiatric services on the day of his suicide attempt and he was hospitalized until Sept. 1.
The plan of correction also calls for re-education programs for staff members on the proper handling of patients contemplating suicide.
Philadelphia Health Department officials did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the state report there were several warnings that the patient was considering suicide including a day when he pleaded to a staffer, "Suicide! Suicide me."
Another warning came when the patient underwent an annual assessment on Aug. 5 and the physician, citing an increase in episodes of anxiety as evidenced by panic attacks, recommended a referral to a psychiatrist.
"Resident states that he believes he is going to die," a staffer wrote in the patient's record.
When state surveyors questioned the director of nursing about the case the official acknowledged that "to date the psychology consults had not been completed as ordered by a physician."
"It was determined that the facility failed to maintain the highest practicable mental and psycho-social well being," the report states.
According to data from the state Health Department 11 residents of the city owned nursing home have died from Covid-19. A total of 130 residents at the 402-bed facility have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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