Nursing Home Resident Dies From Improperly Treated Pressure Sores During Short Rehab Stay

Mr. Newton K. McManus Jr. died on May 31, 2008, less than one month after being admitted to Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, an Illinois nursing home, on May 8, 2008.  Mr. McManus spent his final days in pain, suffering from pressure sores, leg ischemia (inadequate blood flow, resulting in pain and non-healing wounds), and a urinary tract infection.  Ms. Shirley McManus filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility in St. Clair County Circuit Court, seeking$150,000.

Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 150-bed facility located in Caseyville, Illinois has a one-star rating from Medicare Nursing Home Compare, which is a much below average rating.  Not unsurprising considering the poor treatment Mr. McManus received, Caseyville had twelve health deficiencies between January 2009 and March 2010, which is four more than the Illinois average and the U.S. average.

Mr. McManus seems to be the victim of neglect.  In the final month of his life, he suffered from a series of health problems including:

• Bed sores
• Urinary tract infection (See “Untreated Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Home Patients May Result in Urosepsis”)
• Malnutrition (See “Can malnutrition cause bed sores?” and “Inadequate Nutrition & The Development of Bed Sores in Nursing Home Patients”)
• Dehydration (See “Can dehydration contribute to the development of pressure sores?”)

Bedsores (also referred to as: pressure sores, pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers) are a very serious and preventable problem that affects many nursing home residents.  Nursing homes are required to ensure that residents do not develop pressure sores and provide treatment and services to promote healing and prevent infection for residents with existing pressure sores.

Oftentimes, these victims do not receive adequate care and services that would prevent these painful and dangerous injuries.  If not properly treated, decubitus ulcers can progress rapidly, damaging tissue and bones and cause sepsis or even death.  It is saddening that this is how Mr. McManus spent the final days of his life, in pain and agony.  Coupled with the horrible physical pain was the victim’s deteriorating mental state and distress.

Ms. Shirley McManus is now suing the nursing home facility for wrongful death, alleging that the facility committed several negligent acts that resulted in his death.  Her lawsuit alleges that the nursing home failed to provide adequate care, failed to protect Mr. McManus from abuse and neglect, failed to notify his doctor of a change in physical condition, failed to create a care plan that addressed his pressure sores, and also failed to maintain his body weight.

Situations like this should not occur in nursing homes.  Residents are entitled to receive necessary care and services in order to attain or maintain the best possible physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.  If you or a loved one are not receiving this minimum level of care and have suffered injury, you may be entitled to compensation

Sources:

Madison St. Clair Record: Woman Sues Caseyville Nursing Home Over Man’s Death

Illinois Department of Public Health: Caseville Nursing & Rehab Ctr

Medicare Nursing Home Compare: Caseyville Nursing & Rehab Ctr

Untreated Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Home Patients May Result in Urosepsis

Can malnutrition cause bed sores?

Inadequate Nutrition & The Development of Bed Sores in Nursing Home Patients

Can dehydration contribute to the development of pressure sores?

Nursing Home Injury Laws: Illinois