Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Linda Kincaid Reports: Elder Abuse at UCLA

Note: A video can be seen by clicking the source link below. View discretion is advised.

The video shows an elderly patient at UCLA. Her thighs and buttocks were covered with sores and stool. A visitor asked the nurse if the patient was clean.

Visitor: “Her underwear does not need to be changed?”

Nurse: “No, she’s clean.”

Visitor: “Okay.”

Nurse: “I don’t put on a diaper, because it make a rash.”

Visitor: “I didn’t hear.”

Nurse: “I didn’t put a diaper–“

Visitor: “Oh. Okay.”

Nurse: “—Because when I saw her when I cleaned her this morning…”

Visitor: “Yeah?”

Nurse: “…it’s too red. So we put cream on her, we put powder and antibiotic on her. No diaper.”

Visitor: “I see.”

Nurse: “So I put the chux on it. The paper. She don’t need it. She had one time only poopoo.”

Visitor: “Oh.”

Nurse: “So now she’s clean.”

Visitor: “Ok, thank you.”

Nurse: “So. Better to leave it like that. Not get rash.”

Twice, the nurse insisted the patient was clean. Video taken moments later documented raw inflamed skin. Stool was left on the inflamed area, leading to further irritation of the skin.

“They hadn’t cleaned her for five hours before the video”, said the visitor.

No soiled bedding was removed. No soiled wipes were in the waste can.

Neglect of the patient meets the definition of elder abuse. California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15610.07 defines elder abuse:

"Abuse of an elder or a dependent adult" means either of the following:

(a) Physical abuse, neglect … or other treatment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental suffering.

The patient is a conservatee in Los Angeles County, CA. A professional conservator is responsible for her care.

Source:
Elder Abuse at UCLA: Patient Covered with Sores and Stool

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm never going to a nursing home, if I can help it!

StandUp said...

Thank you, Linda, for being a champion for vulnerable people who need a champion!

B Inberg said...

Exposing the truth in graphic details, clear language is what it takes to be believed - how can the non-believers dismiss evidence?

Thank you Linda Kincaid, you are a one woman army, grateful for your dedication and your courage to take these 'big boys' on.

Anonymous said...

Nobody wants to be in a nursing home and yet that's where every one of us will likely end up. We need to clean up this mess!

Thank you, Linda Kincaid!

jerri said...

this is an example of whats waiting for us are you satisfied if not do something join others to stop this negligence stop the harm what a horrible situation with the chances of healing is not going to happen causing major health issues and possible death i wonder how many old folks die from neglect although their death certificates won't reflect that this is criminal having knowledge of harm and doing nothing lazy sob's makes me sick