State probe finds Duluth facility's neglect allowed resident to drink cleaning chemical

The facility failed to implement safety precautions, the report said


The Minnesota Health Department ruled that operators of Westwood of Duluth senior facility  were negligent when a 70-year-old man inadvertently poisoned himself and died on Feb. 19, according to an article on the Star Tribune website.

A resident at a the senior care apartment complex, who was known for rummaging around for food and drink, downed a cleaning chemical that eventually  killed him three days later.

According to details of the state death investigation released Tuesday, “The facility failed to implement safety precautions” knowing that Nelson “had a history of climbing over the kitchen gate [and] failed to otherwise secure chemical cleaners.”

In response to the death, Westwood staff removed chemicals from under the kitchen sink and put locks on all cabinets, the report said.

Read the article.



May 16, 2019


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

How Health Systems Are Rethinking Facilities Amid Margin Pressure

As insurance uncertainty and consolidation reshape healthcare, facilities managers are turning to efficiency, adaptability and portfolio optimization to control costs.


Ground Broken on New Medical Office Building in Scottsdale, AZ

Hammes is developing a new 34,000-square-foot medical office building in Scottsdale, Arizona, in partnership with Phoenix-based NOVO Development.


University of Texas Gifted $100M for New Medical Center

The new UT medical center integrates the work of the University’s academic and research enterprise, its Dell Medical School and UT MD Anderson cancer care.


Beyond Backup Generators: Building Layered Energy Resilience

Backup generators still matter, but they are just one piece of a larger puzzle.


Shannon Health System to Acquire Scenic Mountain Medical Center

The signing of the asset purchase agreement begins the asset purchase closing process, which is expected to be completed in the coming months.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.