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
Top House Republican accuses Minnesota AG Keith Ellison of lying about benefit fraud: 'Got something to hide'

Minnesota AG Keith Ellison Faces Accusations of Dishonesty in Benefit Fraud Case, Says Top Republican

On Wednesday, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer accused Minnesota Attorney General Keith…
Startling video shows small plane nosedive into Phoenix backyard

Dramatic Footage Captures Small Plane’s Nosedive into Phoenix Residential Area

Shocking new video footage has surfaced, capturing the moment a small commuter…
House passes bill to fund DHS but most Democrats remain opposed to ending shutdown 

House Approves DHS Funding Bill Amid Predominant Democratic Opposition to Shutdown Resolution

On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at reopening…
Federal agents arrest 12 alleged members of LA's massive 18th Street gang drug trafficking operation

Federal Agents Apprehend 12 Suspected Members of Los Angeles’ Major 18th Street Gang in Drug Trafficking Crackdown

In a significant federal operation, a dozen individuals linked to a notorious…
Threats against Americans, especially Jews, skyrocketing since beginning of war in Iran, Secure Community Network says

Surge in Threats Against American Jews Amid Iran Conflict, Reports Secure Community Network

CHICAGO (WLS) — In a surprising move, President Donald Trump has dismissed…
FBI busts 18th Street Gang in East LA raid

FBI Cracks Down on Notorious 18th Street Gang in Major East LA Raid

In a significant blow to organized crime, federal agents have orchestrated a…
Britney Spears arrested in California on suspicion of DUI: Reports and court docs

Britney Spears Faces DUI Allegations in California: Latest Court Documents and Reports Reveal

In a surprising turn of events, Britney Spears has found herself in…
‘Devastated’ Corey Feldman left out of Oscars tribute to Rob Reiner

Corey Feldman Heartbroken Over Omission from Oscars Tribute to Rob Reiner

Corey Feldman is reportedly upset about being excluded from a tribute to…
Fox News ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: Hollywood's hateful horror show

Fox News Unveils ‘Antisemitism Exposed’ Newsletter: A Critical Examination of Hollywood’s Troubling Trends

Fox News’ “Antisemitism Exposed” newsletter keeps you informed about the escalating anti-Jewish…
Zohran Mamdani ditches campaign pledge on NYC intersections in latest flip-flop

Zohran Mamdani’s Surprising U-Turn: NYC Intersections Campaign Promise Reversed

In a surprising turn of events, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has backed away…
Biden autopen DOJ probe presses on -- though proving crime is 'tough'

DOJ Autopen Investigation Under Biden Administration Faces Challenges in Proving Criminal Intent

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice is actively pursuing its investigation into…
Small plane crashes into Phoenix home minutes after takeoff, injuring 3

Plane Crashes into Phoenix Home Shortly After Takeoff, Leaving Three Injured

Debris from a small aircraft was precariously left hanging from a rooftop…