Share this @internewscast.com

A hospice facility in Iowa has been fined $10,000 after it mistakenly presumed a woman dead hours before she was discovered gasping for air inside a body bag at a funeral home, officials said.

A nurse at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Urbandale determined that the 66-year-old woman had died on Jan. 3, and the resident was transferred to a funeral home, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals said in a report issued Wednesday.

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was admitted to hospice care Dec. 28 because of “senile degeneration of the brain,” the report says.

At 6 a.m. Jan. 3, a nurse checked on the patient and found no signs of life, according to the report.

Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Urbandale, Iowa.
Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Urbandale, Iowa.Google Maps

Her “mouth was open, her eyes were fixed, and there were no breath sounds,” the report says, adding that a nurse was unable to locate the woman’s pulse using her stethoscope.

The nurse put her hand on the woman’s abdomen and “noted no movement,” the report says. The nurse presumed the resident had died and notified a family member and the on-call hospice nurse, according to the report.

“Hospice agreed to call the funeral home and did so,” it says.

Nearly an hour and 40 minutes later, a funeral director placed the woman’s body on a gurney “inside a cloth bag and zipped it shut,” the report says. The director left with the woman about 10 minutes later, the report says. Shortly before 8:30 a.m., staff members at the funeral home discovered that the woman was still alive, the report says.

“Funeral home staff unzipped the bag and observed Resident #1’s chest was moving and she was gasping for air. The funeral home then called 911 and hospice,” the report says.

When EMS personnel arrived, they recorded the woman’s pulse and noted she had no eye movement or verbal, vocal or motor response, according to the report.

The woman was taken to the emergency room. She was returned to the hospice facility and died with her family at her side two days later, according to the state report.

The state fined the facility $10,000, the maximum allowed under Iowa law, said a spokesperson for the state Department of Inspections and Appeals.

A state citation dated Wednesday said that the facility “failed to provide adequate direction to ensure appropriate cares and services were provided” and that it failed to ensure she received “dignified treatment and care at end of life.”

The hospice facility’s executive director said representatives have been in touch with the resident’s family.

“We care deeply for our residents and remain fully committed to supporting their end-of-life care,” Executive Director Lisa Eastman said in a statement. “All employees undergo regular training so they can best support end-of-life care and the death of our residents.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

BMW Driver in Heated Road Rage Altercation in Newport Beach

A driver of a BMW has been arrested after being caught on…
California gubernatorial candidates' salaries revealed

Unveiling California’s Gubernatorial Paychecks: What Do Candidates Really Earn?

As California prepares to elect a new governor to succeed Gavin Newsom,…
Newly emerged video shows Noelia Castillo's father cheering her on as she tried to walk

Heartwarming Moment: Noelia Castillo’s Father Encourages Her First Steps in Viral Video

A heart-wrenching video has surfaced, capturing a poignant moment between paraplegic gang…
Australian police fatally shoot a suspect in a 3-hour standoff after 2 officers killed

Australian Police Conclude Three-Hour Standoff with Fatal Shooting of Suspect Following Officer Fatalities

Australian authorities announced on Monday that they believe they have fatally shot…
Mom of Brooklyn boy caught in crossfire aims to raise money to flee to safety

Brooklyn Mother Seeks Funds to Relocate After Son is Injured in Crossfire

A heartbroken mother is pleading for assistance after her 9-year-old son became…
US allows Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba amid blockade as Trump says island ‘has to survive’

US Greenlights Russian Oil Tanker’s Arrival in Cuba Amid Blockade, Trump Advocates for Island’s Survival

The United States is set to permit a Russian oil tanker, laden…
Major Wall Street powerhouse weighs southern move as Mamdani-led tax threats swirl

Wall Street Giant Considers Southern Relocation Amid Mamdani’s Tax Proposals

In a significant development for the financial world, one of Wall Street’s…
San Francisco supervisor delays resignation decision as she navigates personal health crisis

San Francisco Supervisor Postpones Resignation Amid Personal Health Challenge

Jackie Fielder, a prominent progressive figure among San Francisco’s supervisors, has reversed…
JFK & RFK 'would be making the same kinds of choices' on Iran, Ukraine as 'empath' Trump: RFK Jr.

RFK Jr. Claims JFK and RFK Would Align with Trump’s Decisions on Iran and Ukraine

WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stirred conversation by suggesting that…
4-year-old rescued after Long Island laundromat kidnapping

Miraculous Rescue: 4-Year-Old Saved from Terrifying Long Island Laundromat Kidnapping

A 4-year-old girl from Long Island has been safely reunited with her…
California man found dead in back of police car outside station as new details emerge

Shocking Discovery: California Man Found Dead in Police Cruiser – Unveiling the Mysterious Details

Eric Valencia’s loved ones are urging the Azusa Police Department to clarify…
Terrorist attack on Paris Bank of America branch thwarted before bomb detonated: report

Swift Action Prevents Bombing at Paris Bank of America Branch: Authorities Avert Terrorist Attack

In a dramatic turn of events, Paris police successfully thwarted a terror…