LAKEPORT — The Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare Center was fined $100,000 by the California Department of Health Services Friday for failures the department believes lead to the death of a 44-year-old woman.
CDHS Public Information Officer Norma Arceo confirmed Wednesday that the woman died June 2, 2006, three days after she was admitted to the facility. The woman reportedly drew material into her lungs during a seizure, and responding staff found the woman”s room and an emergency cart lacking the necessary equipment to clear her airway, said Arceo.
Facility staff stopped resuscitation efforts before paramedics arrived, against procedure, said Arceo.
Arceo explained that the facility was fined because “CDHS determined that the facility failed to assess for and prevent aspiration, failed to ensure staff were adequately trained in emergency response procedures and CPR techniques and failed to ensure emergency airway equipment was stocked and available to nursing staff during a life-threatening situation.”
This is not the first time Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare Center has been cited. The Record-Bee reported in its May 20, 2006 edition that the facility was cited and fined twice in 2005 for failure to implement abuse policies that would have protected a resident from sexual abuse,” according to a report from the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.
One citation was for failing to report the abuse, reportedly between residents and not involving employees, to CDHS within 24 hours.
No further information was available as of press time Wednesday night.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
