Thank you, TC. Two months ago my partner died from neglect in a nursing home. The Republic is dying from neglect. It’s excruciating but this corruption needs to be seen. Thank you.
Thank you, TC. Two months ago my partner died from neglect in a nursing home. The Republic is dying from neglect. It’s excruciating but this corruption needs to be seen. Thank you.
I am really sorry, and angry, to hear what your partner went through. For the past decade I have been working as a regional RN patient advocate for folks in nursing homes who also have mental health diagnoses. Even before COVID we saw the decline in care, especially the heartbreaking results of corporate buyouts of extended care facilities with the resulting staff cuts, increased resident patient loads, and lowered morale that followed. I reported one physician to the state who had boasted to me about how many patients he could see in an hour, and that Mrs. Smith was just fine. I had to help the family sneak Mrs. Smith out of the facility and take her to the emergency room, where she nearly died from the drug combinations that this physician had prescribed. Yes, this corruption needs to be seen, and stopped.
And then there are phenomenal physicians and nurse practitioners who get overwhelmed by the caseloads. Our medical system needs excision of the profit motive.
jeez, Ally, you wouldn't be advocating "socialized medicine," would you?
seriously, the British have what is probably the most radically socialized medical program in existence, and over here, people love to tell horror stories about things like waiting lists for hip replacements. I've had the good fortune of being friends with a bunch of British doctors, and (despite their occasional complaints about understaffed hospitals, etc.) they all say the exact same thing, which is that "at its best, it works PERFECTLY." house calls and EVERYTHING. one of them did a psychiatric residency in NYC and has written some devastating things about his experiences here.
I’m so sorry Alec. And I can personally identify with your pain and horror of the nursing home system. Last month we lost my uncle after only 3 days in an assisted care facility. He was receiving food and meds through a feeding tube, but an attendant looked up the wrong chart and gave him someone else’s meds orally.
When we visited that morning, we basically found him choking to death in his room and no one was doing anything. I had to yell at them for 10 minutes to call EMS. He was rushed to ER where he died 10 hours later.
I had heard how bad the healthcare system is, but actually living through such an experience and not being able to find a lawyer to take the case has been beyond anything I imagined.
Oh, unfortunately I do believe. Georgia is one of those places that have "capped" malpractice judgements, which makes it virtually impossible for the attorney to recover their expenses in proving the case if they do win.
a friend's 24-year-old niece, who was herself a nursing student at Stony Brook, was experiencing serious abdominal pain for quite a while and finally went to some doctors (her mother had recovered from esophageal cancer, which has a strong genetic component) to find out what the deal was. she and her parents visited the head of Hematology at Stony Brook, and he told them they were crazy, etc. he finally said "OK...FIVE MINUTES," and gave the kid a clean bill of health (remember that hematologists are ALSO oncologists).
she was dead in six months.
it looked like the most obvious malpractice case I'd ever heard of. everyone begged them to sue, but they just didn't want to deal with the trauma involved. now they're both gone as well.
they should have sued. I mean, the motherfucker was an ONCOLOGIST who refused to test for CANCER. and he's the head of the fucking DEPARTMENT in a MEDICAL SCHOOL.
Sharon, I’m so sorry. What a horrific experience and a terrible loss. Why will no lawyer take the case? Are the nursing homes so well-funded and able to out-lawyer patients’ families, and proof of neglect and mistakes so hard to obtain against staff who cover up or refuse to testify, that patients’ families almost always lose? I bet that’s it. But you shouldn’t have to spend money and go to court! There should be an _effective_ watchdog government agency. I gather there’s no such thing. I’m so sorry for your uncle’s horrendous suffering and you and your family’s loss.
Thank you Elizabeth. There really should be some kind of agency overseeing This industry. It is quite appalling. And furthermore, there should be some organization to help you go through all the death aftermath stuff. it took us a month to get a death certificate.
Sharon, I am so so sorry for your loss, and all that your uncle and your family suffered through. There are agencies and organizations that oversee the industry, but vary from state to state. At the very least, your state's licensing bureau should be notified.
As far as medical lawsuits, here's info on Georgia:
"Georgia has a $350,000 cap in place on non-economic damages in any single medical malpractice claim against health care providers. For claims against a single health care facility there is a $350,000 cap on noneconomic damages, which bumps up to $700,000 if more than one facility is deemed liable.
Georgia Medical Malpractice Laws and Requirements - Nolo
While a big legal practice might not take this on, a small or young one might because it is a cut and dried case with obvious error and consequence. But yes, the lawyers want their 33% and 33% of $350,000 seems like a lot to us, but not worth it to them. If the facility is part of a larger corporation. They may be willing to write the family a check without admitting guilt. Even the best of us have made errors, and the facility should have their own insurance to compensate families for these terrible outcomes. Like the airline industry, though, there is no room for error in healthcare systems. This facility's safety system needs state review now.
Thank you MaryPat. I appreciate your kind words and your practical advice. There are actually were two facilities involved in his healthcare. He was at a Pruitt facility for nine weeks before being transferred to a small 15 bed assisted living facility. I’m pretty sure Pruitt did not have a doctor evaluate him before being transferred. In fact, the so-called social worker at Pruitt kept pushing this one facility and told us that hospice was not an option. I’m sure he got a kick back. I think they’re both culpable.
Oh, this is so heartbreaking and infuriating, and probably impossible to prove. If someone contacts the state health department, though, your information could make a difference for other residents, and their families. Hugs.
actually just heard from a lawyer this morning telling me that we had a slim-to-none chance of getting a settlement and he would not take the case. At least he took the time to explain things, which is more than we've gotten from anyone else. But I agree about reporting to the state health department. Time to move forward...
I’m so sorry for your loss, Alec. Clearly nursing homes have patient loads that are too high per caregiver and per doctor, and too many of the caregivers are too low-paid, too rushed, and do not have the necessary skills and training to care for vulnerable elders with complex care needs. I am beginning to understand why my mother was adamant about caring for my father at home.
Don’t like, but that is more common than many know. Just the turnover, and idiots at the top in some cases, requires constant vigilance. So sorry for your loss, helpless feeling.
Thank you, TC. Two months ago my partner died from neglect in a nursing home. The Republic is dying from neglect. It’s excruciating but this corruption needs to be seen. Thank you.
I'm really sorry to hear that. fortunately, Jurate got the best care possible at the residential hospice.
I am really sorry, and angry, to hear what your partner went through. For the past decade I have been working as a regional RN patient advocate for folks in nursing homes who also have mental health diagnoses. Even before COVID we saw the decline in care, especially the heartbreaking results of corporate buyouts of extended care facilities with the resulting staff cuts, increased resident patient loads, and lowered morale that followed. I reported one physician to the state who had boasted to me about how many patients he could see in an hour, and that Mrs. Smith was just fine. I had to help the family sneak Mrs. Smith out of the facility and take her to the emergency room, where she nearly died from the drug combinations that this physician had prescribed. Yes, this corruption needs to be seen, and stopped.
And I'll bet "Dr. God" is a Republican. There are so many doctors who shouldn't be allowed within ten miles of the profession.
And then there are phenomenal physicians and nurse practitioners who get overwhelmed by the caseloads. Our medical system needs excision of the profit motive.
For profit health care is a freaking disaster, and a national embarrassment.
jeez, Ally, you wouldn't be advocating "socialized medicine," would you?
seriously, the British have what is probably the most radically socialized medical program in existence, and over here, people love to tell horror stories about things like waiting lists for hip replacements. I've had the good fortune of being friends with a bunch of British doctors, and (despite their occasional complaints about understaffed hospitals, etc.) they all say the exact same thing, which is that "at its best, it works PERFECTLY." house calls and EVERYTHING. one of them did a psychiatric residency in NYC and has written some devastating things about his experiences here.
Hear hear.
Or patients.
As Jeri says, 'Like' isn't the appropriate response, but your action was well taken even if technically AMA.
Thank you for your work, MP!
Thank you, Mary Pat.
I’m so sorry Alec. And I can personally identify with your pain and horror of the nursing home system. Last month we lost my uncle after only 3 days in an assisted care facility. He was receiving food and meds through a feeding tube, but an attendant looked up the wrong chart and gave him someone else’s meds orally.
When we visited that morning, we basically found him choking to death in his room and no one was doing anything. I had to yell at them for 10 minutes to call EMS. He was rushed to ER where he died 10 hours later.
I had heard how bad the healthcare system is, but actually living through such an experience and not being able to find a lawyer to take the case has been beyond anything I imagined.
I hope you guys are now talking to an attorney and drawing up the papers to sue the shit out of those scumbags.
We’re trying. You would not believe how many attorneys declined immediately.
Oh, unfortunately I do believe. Georgia is one of those places that have "capped" malpractice judgements, which makes it virtually impossible for the attorney to recover their expenses in proving the case if they do win.
a friend's 24-year-old niece, who was herself a nursing student at Stony Brook, was experiencing serious abdominal pain for quite a while and finally went to some doctors (her mother had recovered from esophageal cancer, which has a strong genetic component) to find out what the deal was. she and her parents visited the head of Hematology at Stony Brook, and he told them they were crazy, etc. he finally said "OK...FIVE MINUTES," and gave the kid a clean bill of health (remember that hematologists are ALSO oncologists).
she was dead in six months.
it looked like the most obvious malpractice case I'd ever heard of. everyone begged them to sue, but they just didn't want to deal with the trauma involved. now they're both gone as well.
they should have sued. I mean, the motherfucker was an ONCOLOGIST who refused to test for CANCER. and he's the head of the fucking DEPARTMENT in a MEDICAL SCHOOL.
ok, no more yelling.
Sharon, I’m so sorry. What a horrific experience and a terrible loss. Why will no lawyer take the case? Are the nursing homes so well-funded and able to out-lawyer patients’ families, and proof of neglect and mistakes so hard to obtain against staff who cover up or refuse to testify, that patients’ families almost always lose? I bet that’s it. But you shouldn’t have to spend money and go to court! There should be an _effective_ watchdog government agency. I gather there’s no such thing. I’m so sorry for your uncle’s horrendous suffering and you and your family’s loss.
Thank you Elizabeth. There really should be some kind of agency overseeing This industry. It is quite appalling. And furthermore, there should be some organization to help you go through all the death aftermath stuff. it took us a month to get a death certificate.
Sharon, I am so so sorry for your loss, and all that your uncle and your family suffered through. There are agencies and organizations that oversee the industry, but vary from state to state. At the very least, your state's licensing bureau should be notified.
As far as medical lawsuits, here's info on Georgia:
"Georgia has a $350,000 cap in place on non-economic damages in any single medical malpractice claim against health care providers. For claims against a single health care facility there is a $350,000 cap on noneconomic damages, which bumps up to $700,000 if more than one facility is deemed liable.
https://www.nolo.com › georgia-me...
Georgia Medical Malpractice Laws and Requirements - Nolo
While a big legal practice might not take this on, a small or young one might because it is a cut and dried case with obvious error and consequence. But yes, the lawyers want their 33% and 33% of $350,000 seems like a lot to us, but not worth it to them. If the facility is part of a larger corporation. They may be willing to write the family a check without admitting guilt. Even the best of us have made errors, and the facility should have their own insurance to compensate families for these terrible outcomes. Like the airline industry, though, there is no room for error in healthcare systems. This facility's safety system needs state review now.
Thank you MaryPat. I appreciate your kind words and your practical advice. There are actually were two facilities involved in his healthcare. He was at a Pruitt facility for nine weeks before being transferred to a small 15 bed assisted living facility. I’m pretty sure Pruitt did not have a doctor evaluate him before being transferred. In fact, the so-called social worker at Pruitt kept pushing this one facility and told us that hospice was not an option. I’m sure he got a kick back. I think they’re both culpable.
Oh, this is so heartbreaking and infuriating, and probably impossible to prove. If someone contacts the state health department, though, your information could make a difference for other residents, and their families. Hugs.
actually just heard from a lawyer this morning telling me that we had a slim-to-none chance of getting a settlement and he would not take the case. At least he took the time to explain things, which is more than we've gotten from anyone else. But I agree about reporting to the state health department. Time to move forward...
All the Best.
my impression is that there ARE such agencies, but their position is usually to favor the physician. and often, the burden of proof is HUGE.
I'm so sorry to hear this.
❗️ ❗️ ❗️
I’m so sorry for your loss, Alec. Clearly nursing homes have patient loads that are too high per caregiver and per doctor, and too many of the caregivers are too low-paid, too rushed, and do not have the necessary skills and training to care for vulnerable elders with complex care needs. I am beginning to understand why my mother was adamant about caring for my father at home.
Don’t like, but that is more common than many know. Just the turnover, and idiots at the top in some cases, requires constant vigilance. So sorry for your loss, helpless feeling.
I’m so very sorry, Alec….
One of the plethora of stuff I’m furious about in Florida is DeSantis et al lowered standards for direct nursing care that residents must receive.😡
Alec, I am so sorry.