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
Coast Guard is searching for a person, possibly in the water, after finding unmanned raft in Mayport

Coast Guard Launches Search for Missing Individual Following Discovery of Unmanned Raft in Mayport Waters

The Coast Guard and local agencies are calling on the public for…
This week in Campus Radicals: Christian student flunked, Jewish students shaken, conservative groups blocked

Campus Controversies Unveiled: Christian Student’s Grade Dispute, Jewish Student Concerns, and Conservative Group Challenges

This past week, Fox News Digital’s ongoing “Campus Radicals” series has shed…
Be a Part of the Light 2025: My Block, My Hood, My City volunteers decorate South Side, Chicago homes on King Drive for holidays

Illuminate 2025: Volunteers Transform Chicago’s South Side for the Holidays with My Block, My Hood, My City

In Chicago, a spirited group is redefining the phrase “deck the halls”…
Maduro’s forces face renewed scrutiny as US tensions rise: ‘A fortress built on sand’

US Tensions Escalate Amid Fresh Scrutiny of Maduro’s Forces: ‘A Fortress Built on Sand

As diplomatic tensions escalate between Washington and the Maduro government, experts reveal…
Russia unleashes major drone, missile attack on Ukraine as US diplomatic talks continue

Russia Launches Significant Drone and Missile Offensive on Ukraine Amid Ongoing US Diplomatic Negotiations

In the midst of ongoing high-level discussions in Florida between Ukrainian and…
New theory about Chernobyl's blue dogs is disgusting

Uncovering the Shocking Truth Behind Chernobyl’s Mysterious Blue Dogs

Who’s responsible for the blue hue? Stray dogs wandering the Chernobyl exclusion…
Josh Shapiro urges Philly schools to ‘take very seriously’ antisemitism as Congress opens investigation

Josh Shapiro Calls for Urgent Action on Antisemitism in Philly Schools Amid Congressional Probe

EXCLUSIVE: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s office has called for the School District…
Florida college student who allegedly shipped 1,500 rounds of ammo to dorm had AR-15 under bed

Florida Student Found with AR-15 and 1,500 Rounds of Ammo in Dorm Room

A college student from Florida has been taken into custody after reportedly…
Ukraine arrests British suspect who allegedly aided Russia’s FSB in assassination plan

Ukraine Detains British National Accused of Assisting Russia’s FSB in Alleged Assassination Plot

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has apprehended a British citizen, Ross…
Brady Cook being elevated could mark the beginning of the end for Justin Fields with Jets

Is Brady Cook the Future? What His Elevation Means for Justin Fields and the Jets’ Quarterback Dilemma

The New York Jets are set to feature a new backup quarterback…
Alaska school district erases Veterans Day from official calendar: ‘absolutely unacceptable’

Outrage in Alaska: School District’s Controversial Move to Remove Veterans Day Sparks Backlash

Exclusive to Fox: A Republican contender for the Alaska governor’s seat has…
Idaho bar owner faces death threats after viral promo offering free beer for assisting ICE

Idaho Bar’s Controversial ICE Promotion Sparks Backlash and Threats

Idaho saloon owner Mark Fitzpatrick has found himself at the center of…