Hidden camera in nursing home, cries for help unanswered

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2017

It's not relevant in terms of the treatment of patient in the hands of what were supposed to be competent caregivers, but I do notice that very few of the headlines are stating the obvious fact that the patient was white and the nurses were black. Had this been the other way around, the media would be highlighting that.

You're probably right, although have you noticed what happens when a young white lady goes missing? They get soooo much more media attention. I remember back when Laci Peterson was on every news outlet; there was a Hispanic lady who suffered similarly. She was pregnant, disappeared, and husband was suspected of killing her...I believe it was determined he did, but I would have to research. See what I mean? Her case got so little national coverage I'm not sure what the outcome was. Had I blinked I would never have known about the story at all.

But back on topic, stuff like this is horrible regardless. This was a vulnerable human being who sacrificed for this country besides, and that nurse was a piece of excrement.

DoGoodThenGo · Nov 21, 2017

Take away point is how the nurses and assistant all basically lied about what went on *until* video taped evidence (camera hidden by family) turned up. Then everyone started singing a different tune. You could almost see/hear "Dun, Dun, DUN!"

Another thing is that while media keeps repeating "nurses"; reading the suspension papers of Wanda Knuckles it is clear there was at least one nursing assistant involved. Just to keep things clear.

Sad (and disgusting) fact is that we all know incidents like this are not isolated events. Had the family not had the foresight to install that hidden camera (based upon the patient's in hindsight well founded fears of abuse), the world would never have known.

Autopsy rates in this country have been on a decline for decades IIRC. When someone passes who has been ill or whatever often everything is jus chalked up to their condition taking a turn for the worse and that is that.

Northeast Atlanta Health and Rehabilitation Center does not have one of the best reputations (hence the deceased apprehension about going there), so you have to wonder why a family would choose the place for a start.

Northeast Atlanta Health And Rehabilitation Center Atlanta GA

DoGoodThenGo · Nov 21, 2017

very sad, I have an elderly friend who lost her leg a year or so ago. She had a roomate who was constantly on the call bell, when my friend fell despite calling for help no one came to assist her for two and a half hours, the staff told her they thought it was the roomate calling. There are some fantastic facilities out there, and some that are horrific. I would never work snf again, saw too much, too many staff cuts, overwhelmed workers etc, and I was only per-diem.

There have been exposÃ©s in media going back to the 1970's regarding poor care in nursing homes/skilled care facilities. Those news reports merely brought to light something that had been going on really since the inception of such places.

Nothing really will change until this country gets truly serious about caring for the elderly and others who cannot do for themselves but do not warrant admission and or remaining in hospital.

The largest issue is finding and retaining competent and qualified staff. This includes nurses on down to assistants. The latter however is the largest weak link in chain. Long as places continue to pay barely above minimum wage there are going to be issues hiring and retaining good nursing assistants.

alexalex77 · Dec 1, 2017

I'm personally planning to install cameras inside and outside of my house where my mom lives with me and while I'm working a nurse is taking care of my mom. My mother's protection is priority. Our nurse is not aware we are planning to have cameras. I'm currently surfing the web in search of a good and cost effective one and found some reviews here 8 Best hidden cameras of 2

NuGuyNurse2b · Dec 2, 2017

You're probably right, although have you noticed what happens when a young white lady goes missing? They get soooo much more media attention. I remember back when Laci Peterson was on every news outlet; there was a Hispanic lady who suffered similarly. She was pregnant, disappeared, and husband was suspected of killing her...I believe it was determined he did, but I would have to research. See what I mean? Her case got so little national coverage I'm not sure what the outcome was. Had I blinked I would never have known about the story at all.

Yes, I do notice that as well. In fact, the late comic Patrice O'Neal touched on it. Starts at 1:50.

But in this case, I notice that the media outlets covering this story failed to acknowledge the possibility of racial bias given who the victim was and who the caretakers were. As I mentioned in my original post, had it been the other way around, that would probably be a very prominent headline.

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Dec 2, 2017

I'm personally planning to install cameras inside and outside of my house where my mom lives with me and while I'm working a nurse is taking care of my mom. My mother's protection is priority. Our nurse is not aware we are planning to have cameras. I'm currently surfing the web in search of a good and cost effective one and found some reviews here 8 Best hidden cameras of 217 that are built in objects for daily use - Secret Storages . Any recommendations on good hidden cameras at reasonable price?

From a protection standpoint, you might be better off with visible cameras rather than hidden ones. Hidden cameras are more useful after the fact while visible cameras have a deterrent effect.

chare · Feb 26, 2018

Two nurses and an aide were indicted Tuesday on multiple charges, including one charge of felony murder, in the Feb. 27, 2014, death of James Dempsey, a World War II veteran and patient at the Northeast Atlanta Health and Rehabilitation in Georgia.
[...]
On Tuesday, a grand jury in DeKalb County handed down charges to former licensed practical nurse Loyce Pickquet Agyeman, nursing supervisor Wanda Nuckles, and Mable Turman, a certified nurse assistant. Agyeman faces charges of felony murder and neglect to an elder person. Nuckles is charged with depriving an elder person of essential services, and Turman was indicted for neglect to an elder person. All three face a single count of concealing the death of another, and warrants have been issued for their arrests.
[...]

Nurses To Face Murder Charges For Laughing As Dying WWII Vet Begged For Help

MunoRN, RN · Feb 27, 2018

Nurses To Face Murder Charges For Laughing As Dying WWII Vet Begged For Help

It's an interesting choice of charges since there's no basis for a murder charge, negligence is the more appropriate charge.

I would guess the murder charge comes in response to public outcry, although I think the public generally misunderstands what occurred here. There seems to be a general belief that if had just gotten supplemental oxygen quickly, he would have survived, which is unlikely.

Hypoxia by itself doesn't actually cause dyspnea, more likely he was having an MI, PE, bronchoconstriction, pneumo, or dissection. None of these things would have had a different outcome with just oxygen. Not knowing his history, but I would guess comfort measures would have been an appropriate intervention, and the even bigger issue is that these nurses' inaction kept that from being able to occur.

neuron · Feb 28, 2018

It's an interesting choice of charges since there's no basis for a murder charge, negligence is the more appropriate charge.
I would guess the murder charge comes in response to public outcry, although I think the public generally misunderstands what occurred here. There seems to be a general belief that if had just gotten supplemental oxygen quickly, he would have survived, which is unlikely.
Hypoxia by itself doesn't actually cause dyspnea, more likely he was having an MI, PE, bronchoconstriction, pneumo, or dissection. None of these things would have had a different outcome with just oxygen. Not knowing his history, but I would guess comfort measures would have been an appropriate intervention, and the even bigger issue is that these nurses' inaction kept that from being able to occur.

Not only comfort measures, but they so-called attempted CPR, so that must mean he was a 'full-code'. I would think they would know his orders being 'high-risk'.

Being the fact that it was their duty to come to this man's aide, comfort and to give O2, check O2 stat, breathing treatment, whatever orders he had...I really believe that the board shouldn't even give these nurses the opportunity to voluntarily surrender their license but rather revoke directly.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2018

It's an interesting choice of charges since there's no basis for a murder charge, negligence is the more appropriate charge.
I would guess the murder charge comes in response to public outcry, although I think the public generally misunderstands what occurred here. There seems to be a general belief that if had just gotten supplemental oxygen quickly, he would have survived, which is unlikely.
Hypoxia by itself doesn't actually cause dyspnea, more likely he was having an MI, PE, bronchoconstriction, pneumo, or dissection. None of these things would have had a different outcome with just oxygen. Not knowing his history, but I would guess comfort measures would have been an appropriate intervention, and the even bigger issue is that these nurses' inaction kept that from being able to occur.

What occurred here is someone died needlessly in distress and discomfort because of lack of appropriate actions by lazy, lying thoughtless healthcare workers.

I hope this haunts them everyday till they die.