Understaffing, fall, no neuro assessment, epidural hemorrhage, death
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The Missouri Court of Appeals upheld the jury’s verdict in a wrongful death lawsuit against a nursing home for the death of a ninety-one year-old Alzheimer’s patient from a head injury from a fall. The patient had difficulty walking and used a merriwalker. The patient had fallen numerous times, particularly in the dining hall. Because of her fall history the staff had been instructed not to leave this patient unattended in the dining hall. Nevertheless she was left unattended in the dining hall at 6:30 p.m. and fell and hit her head. Standards for Prompt Neurological Assessment After a Fall The facility’s policy called for neuro assessments right after a fall involving apparent head injury and every four hours until the… |