• 07
  • February
    2012

Regular readers may recall the story of a forming Cleveland nursing home aide sentenced to over 10 years in prison for her abuse of a 78-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer. Now, a second nurse's aide is being placed behind bars for mistreating the very same woman.

Once named nurse's aide of the year at MetroHealth's nursing home, the woman has not only jeopardized her own freedom, but has opened her former employer up to potential medical malpractice liability. The former nurse's aide was caught on hidden camera spraying body perfume into the face of the elderly Alzheimer's patient.

The patient's son pointed out that the perfume's packaging carried a warning that it could lead to skin irritation. He also claims that his mother suffered an eye infection as a result of the aide's abuse.

The former nurse's aide of the year was recently sentenced to six months in jail for her role in abusing the Alzheimer's patient.

With the full scope of the abuse perpetrated by the two nurse's aides becoming readily apparent, MetroHealth launched an internal investigation. In addition to the criminal sanctions levied against the two nurse's aides, job-related penalties were enforced against several other healthcare professionals. As a result of MetroHealth's investigation, four employees were fired, one was suspended and four more received written warnings.

MetroHealth has apologized for the lapses in patient care perpetrated under its watch. The story serves as a troubling reminder that individuals need to keep a keen watch for warning signs of abuse whenever a loved one is entrusted to the care of a nursing home.

Source: WKYC-TV, "Investigator: Abusive nursing aide jailed," Tom Meyer, Jan. 26, 2012