Kern Valley Nursing Home was the scene of three unnecessary deaths as evidence leaked that the director of the program was using chemical restraints to subdue patients. According to the Attorney General the nursing home director gave patients "excessive amounts of medicine to keep them quiet." Gwen Hughes, the director of the California nursing home had been fired from a previous care facility for the same act out of Fresno. A preliminary hearing is set for March 9, 2010 where Hughes, nursing home administrator Pamela Ott and staff physician Hoshang Pormi r face up to 11 years in prison. Unfortunately, three people had to die before the world took notice of this tragedy. California nursing home abuse and neglect is too common. Especially when it involves chemical restraints or overdrugging - it is more difficult to detect and goes on for longer than it should. If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect the first phone call you should make is to a dedicated nursing home abuse lawyer who can assist you to get the most fair settlement in your case.

Posted by Michael Young at 9:31 AM | Permalink

While some more complicated medical procedures may require the use of restraints to protect a resident from getting hurt, simpler procedures like drawing blood or adjusting an IV line do not require the use of restraints.  However, some staff members don’t want to be bothered with soothing a resident prior to any kind of medical procedure.  They want to get the procedure done and get on with their workday, so they use restraints to ensure that they won’t have to waste time calming residents down.  This is considered an improper use of restraints because it is not absolutely necessary in this type of situation.  Some staff members are downright abusive and nasty and use the restraints as a means of punishing residents for not complying with their instructions.  If a resident refuses to eat something or submit to a medical procedure, a staff member may release anger by using the restraints to physically restrain the resident and confine their movement.  Since the restraints are not absolutely necessary for the safety of the resident, this is another improper use of restraints.  Staff member should never use restraints out of anger or frustration, and they certainly shouldn’t be used just because a resident didn’t want to go through something that may have been uncomfortable or painful.  Using physical restraints as a punishment is vindictive and unbecoming of anyone who is involved in the care of nursing home residents.  If you feel your loved one has been punished with the use of restraints, contact a San Diego nursing home abuse lawyer to find out how you can make the nursing home take responsibility.

If you or a loved on has questions regarding a nursing home abuse matter, please contact Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Michael Young for a FREE Consultation. Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer Michael Young is a featured speaker at many nursing home abuse seminars throughout California. The Nursing Home Abuse Law Offices of Young and Wallin handles cases throughout California including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbra, Fresno, Sacramento, Orange County, Bakersfield and Ventura.

Posted by Michael Young at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)