any one know ?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

:confused:Question, has anyone ever heard of an assisted living facility that requests that patients be on hospice so that if the patient dies there will not be a crime investigation. The facility has 5 people in their care, in Ohio and is in the lower half of the care givers home. The owner has licensure by the state and is certified for total care. Just wondering , I thought it seems like an odd request by the owner.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Shady...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg tele, postpartum, mother baby.

definitely shady... I am not sure of the legalities, but for the patient's sake perhaps someone should contact the Ohio board of nursing? They may not be getting the care that they should be

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, that's what I thought too but, interested if there are perhaps state laws that actually dictate such practice. It seems like an odd question, one I can't believe, I'm asking since I've been a nurse for 30 years. I'm a little befutteld, I put my mom in the facility, the owner asked me to put her on hospice so that if she died there wouldn't a crime scene investigation. I said it would be ok but not to put her on med unless they consulted me first. ( i live 3 states away and was attempting to get her to the point I could bring her with me) Well guess what, a day after they put her on hospice they started her on morphine for her " parkinsons pain" Which was actually pain from spine problems that she has had for years. When I was trying to tell the hospice rn that my mom can not take heavy duty meds , she will be over sedated, the nurse said " do you want your mother to be in pain, give her 2 days and her body will adjust". She didn't adjust she died 2 days later. 3 days prior she was eating 3 small meals, drinking, letting me do her hair and nails etc. Don't know if I'm just grieving or have a right to be concerned.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU.

Sorry about your Mom...

I would call the county coroner or medical examiner and ask what they thought about this. I'm sure it would make them concerned.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This sounds so wrong! Someone needs to investigate this. So sorry about your mother. :crying2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks to everyone, sometimes its difficult to see thing clearly when your involved.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

The other avenue to consider would be to contact the state's health and human services agency to report your concerns.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Assisted Living isn't usually qualified by State or if certified by Medicaid to be a total care facility.

Medicare doesn't cover AL, they may cover services rendered to an Assisted Living res. but not the care covered by the facility itself.

As far as hospice in Assisted Living, I have never seen or heard of it. Due to the level of care needed for hospice pts. is beyond appropriate care levels.

I think I'd call the local ombudsman, the attorney general for that state's long term care division, the responsible survey people who do yearly surveys for facility compliance & safety, and the BON to report that hospice RN. This facility needs looking into for its really unsettling way of business.

Sounds like a lot, but this story doesn't add up.

I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and then to be left with this puzzling mess on top of it. :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Alzheimer/Dementia.

That sounds very shady..?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wowsa....what was her prognosis before she went to this AL? Was it terminal/ end stage?

I wouldn't let this go unchecked. We can't give legal advice, but I would def get an attorney or call the ombudsman. How many people have died at this place in the last year or so and how many were on hospice? This sounds totally fishy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment