FALL ACCIDENT: Nursing Home Fined for Failing to Prevent Patient’s Fatal Head Injury

August 4, 2010

Los Altos – State public health officials have recommended a $100,000 fine against a Northern California nursing home for its failure to prevent a fall accident that result in a fatal head injury to an 85-year old patient who was under the care of the facility.

State investigator’s report said a staff of Pilgrim Haven Health Facility failed to install an electronic fall monitor and also failed to supervise the patient when walking.

According to the report, the fall accident apparently occurred twice and involved the same patient, who has a heart condition and diabetes.

Although the patient denied he was hurt, still he was given neurological examination after the accident. But the patient turned pale and continued vomited later, the report said. Despite that, he was not assessed for possible head injuries because there was no registered nurse on duty during that night.

Doctors later determined that the cause of death was bleeding in the brain and fall with head trauma.

Pilgrim Haven executive director Rae Holt said they would appeal the state citation.

The facility houses about 50 to 60 people daily.

State officials said they had check to ensure that electronic fall prevention devices were placed. They also plan to review safety prevention with the facility’s nurses.