The Minnesota Department of Health claims a New Hope nursing home neglected a resident after the individual died after receiving 20 times their prescribed dose of oxycodone.
According to the MDH report, North Ridge Health and Rehabilitation did not have a policy to “notify staff of changing medication orders.” The report also said the individual administering the drug failed to follow correct procedures.
The report said the resident was admitted to North Ridge Health and Rehabilitation with cancer, as well as chronic pain and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
MDH said the resident had a physician order to receive liquid oxycodone for pain. The resident was supposed to receive 20 milligrams for pain rated five to seven on a 10-point scale, or 30 milligrams for pain rated eight to 10.
The concentration of the oxycodone the resident was supposed to receive was changed multiple times, according to the report.
On the night before the resident’s death, the individual rated their pain at a 10 on the scale. The report said the staff member administering the oxycodone gave the resident 600 milligrams, instead of the 30 milligrams.
The resident was later found unresponsive on the floor of his room. The individual was pronounced dead by emergency medical service professionals.
The MDH report said the staff member admitted to administering more oxycodone than prescribed. The individual said they did not verify the concentration of the dose because they were busy with other patients.
A medical professional said the over administration of oxycodone was responsible for the resident’s death.
The MDH report said facility records show that staff was reeducated on the facility’s medication administration policy following the incident.
North Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Administrator Diane Willette issued a statement Wednesday, saying, “First, I can tell you this was a terribly sad and very difficult situation for all of us here at North Ridge. The people who work here not only care for our patients, but also care about them.”
Willette also said in the statement that the facility has complied with appropriate authorities.
Willete declined to comment further due to pending legal matters.
Credit:KSTP
