Nursing home neglect leads to death

Mayzie Olson KAALTV

[anvplayer video=”5159376″ station=”998128″]

(ABC 6 News) – Recent investigations conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health found that two nursing homes in our area were negligent.

According to the report by MDH, a worker at St. Mark’s found a resident unresponsive, not breathing and without a pulse.

When a nurse was notified, MDH says the nurse did not follow protocol and administer CPR, even though the resident’s chart indicated to resuscitate in an emergency.

Instead, the nurse decided it was too late and called police and the coroner.

Recent investigations conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health found that two nursing homes in our area were negligent.

The resident died.

Britnee Konken’s grandmother Bernice currently lives at St. Marks Living in Austin.

She says these findings have her scared for her grandma.

“Its really scary knowing that that happened. Especially if that were to happen to my grandma. Let’s say its on her chart, and it says to revive her, and they don’t,” said Konken.

Her father, Daniel, says he has always had concerns with St. Marks.

“I mean to me, that’s like, okay you’re not paying attention to the residents,” Daniel Konken explained.

The executive director of St. Marks Living, Justin Boldt, wouldn’t go on camera, but issued a statement to ABC 6 News which read:

“Health and safety of our residents is always our top priority and our team has completed enhanced training, revised policies, and conducted audits and drills”

MDH also conducted a similar neglect investigation at Charter House Mayo Clinic assisted living in Rochester.

The report states that a nurse failed to check on a resident who’s health had been declining, even though reports given to the nurse from a coworker at the start of her shift indicated vitals must be checked regularly.

That resident died during the night.

Following a request for comment, Charter House issued a statement which reads in part:

“The health, safety and well-being of Charter House residents is of paramount importance to Mayo Clinic. We reiterate our deepest sympathy to the resident’s family and loved ones. Charter House leadership proactively reported the incident to the Minnesota Department of Health and promptly began an internal investigation and initiated additional interventions to prevent further incident. The individual who was investigated is no longer employed at Charter House and is ineligible to be rehired. We remain committed to providing residents at Charter House with the safest and highest quality of care.”

It goes on to say, quote “the individual who was investigated is no longer employed at Charter House and is ineligible to be re-hired”

“When you’re putting somebody into a nursing home. You just have to really pay attention to what’s going on,” Daniel Konken said.

Back in November, we reported that the family of an elderly Austin woman accused the South Grove Lodge, formerly known as Primrose Retirement community, of mistreatment, altering documents, and a long list of errors when administering medication – and they’re not alone.

We also sat down with a former hospice aide who shared new allegations against the South Grove Lodge in Austin.