CNN
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An Iowa Alzheimer’s care facility is dealing with a $10,000 fine after announcing a woman dead who was later discovered alive when a funeral director unzipped her body bag, in line with paperwork from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.
The 66-year-old woman, who has not been recognized, was admitted to the Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Special Care Center facility in Urbandale, Iowa, on Dec. 20, resulting from “senile degeneration of the brain,” in line with the paperwork. She was admitted to hospice on Dec. 28.
On Jan. 3, in line with the report, “At 6:00 a.m. Resident #1’s mouth was open, her eyes were fixed, and there were no breath sounds. [The nurse] was unable to locate Resident #1’s apical pulse using her stethoscope. She placed her hand on Resident #1’s abdomen and noted no movement.” The household was contacted and a funeral dwelling was known as, in line with information.
Both the nurse and the funeral director, who arrived from Ankeny Funeral Home and Crematory to select up the woman, reported no indicators of life at round 7:38 am.
“At approximately 8:26 a.m., funeral home staff unzipped the bag and observed Resident #1’s chest moving and she gasped for air. The funeral home then called 911 and hospice,” the state report mentioned.
After first being taken to a neighborhood emergency room for care, she was discovered to be respiratory however unresponsive. She was later returned to the hospice on Jan. 3, resulting from her superior directives, in line with the report.
The facility reported the incident to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) on Jan. 4.
According to the paperwork, she died at Glen Oaks the subsequent day, with household by her aspect.
The violation issued to the care facility by DIA states, “Based on interview and record review, the licensee failed to provide adequate direction to ensure appropriate [care] and services were provided.”
In an e-mail to CNN, facility govt director Lisa Eastman mentioned Glen Oaks has been in “close communication with the family of the resident.”
“We just completed an investigation by the Department of Inspections and Appeals regarding the matter. We care deeply for our residents and remain fully committed to supporting their end-of-life care,” Eastman mentioned. “All employees undergo regular training so they can best support end-of-life care and the death of our residents.”
In a press release to CNN, the funeral dwelling mentioned, “Out of respect for the privacy and confidentiality of the families we are honored to serve, we are not in a position to comment further on this matter.”
The Ankeny Police Department informed the Des Moines Register it’s not pursuing prison prices.