nuring homesdeaths in new orleans area

Nurses General Nursing

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I heard on the news in the first few days after the storm that the staff evacuated nursing homes & most, if not all, of the residents passed away. Haven't heard anything else about it. Was just wondering if anyone else heard this or has heard anything further about it. I just can't believe that the WHOLE staff evacuated & left all the residents to fend for themselves.

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

I read on MSNBC that one (1) nursing home had all the staff evacuate and left 30 patients in their beds to fend for themselves. I can't imagine doing that to another living soul! But obviously some nurses did do just that very thing. Sad sad thing. All 30 patients died.

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I once overheard the maintenance man who is in charge of the fire drills at the LTC facility where I used to work chatting with a couple of nurses after a fire drill. He said, "When it comes down to it I know what I'll do in a da%* fire, I'm not going to risk my life for some 97 yr. old with 3 weeks to live, I'm getting out of here!"

I guess survival of the fittest theory kicked in at that nursing home. Very sad.

I hope I never have to go to a nursing home.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
II hope I never have to go to a nursing home.

Yep dog eat dog. Nice.

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Yep dog eat dog. Nice.

Is there any possibility these patients were already dead prior to the staff leaving? Sorry I do not know the whole story on this.

deedee

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Watching the news right now, about 35 patient found dead, apparently abandoned by the staff. It would be hard to imagine that all of them died, and then the staff just left.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

I obviously don't know what happened, but I would find it very hard to believe that every single staff member would abandon. Sure some probably would bail out quickly, but I've been in LTC to long and KNOW that most would stick it out until the end - but in this case.. could the staff have literally SWAM to safety. Imagine water up to your waist or even neck and still rising - what would you really, REALLY do? By staying and "sticking it out" who would you even imagine you are really going to save. Like I said, I have no idea what really happened, but this was an EXTREME disaster. Would the situation have made anyone feel better to have found 5-10 dead staff as well (which maybe they still will - who knows yet). Sorry - not trying to make anyone defensive here - just wanted to see how the other shoe fit.

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But if they left, and did not notify anyone?????

These people were never found until today, or yesterday, and no one knew anything about them still being there. That is what I am having issues dealing with.................

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

IF this is true - I agree with you wholeheatedly, BUT I also remember CNN showing thousands of people at the convention center one day last week and the NEXT DAY Ted Kopple was interviewing someone from FEMA who said he had JUST found out there were people there.. Ted Kopple reply "Don't you people watch the news, we've been reporting this for over 24 hours". My point is.. the communication seems to stink (my mild terminology). Playing devils advocate here and thinking the best about my fellow nurses in an ungodly situation - maybe they did report and nobody had time to listen.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

a. How many person in SNF on live dependent oxygen. No electricity no power for portable concentrators---portable tanks small green last only 8 hours.

b. Water supply and food issues---same for everyone.

c. this happened on a Sunday--bet only 1 professional in the building. Louisiana has lax legislation--might really be Assisted living with only med aides and CNA staffing place. With flooding , no one form outer area to get in.

d. No one came to evacuate Charity hospital until Docs called AP news. Don't have any better communication in SNF facilities to get word to outside responders.

e Only time will tell all the facts.

Sad all the way around.

:crying2: :crying2: :crying2:

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Very Sad...But there must be some explanation...

I can't see dedicated nurses leaving residents when there was any hope of saving them.

It is almost as bad as the story of the nurse who was busy at the nursing home transfering residents to safety while all 5 of her children at home drowned.

What a hellish situation this was! How can one make these kind of decisions in split seconds? And who are we to sit here and second guess them?

My heart goes out to you all!

Lori

Wisconsin

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
a. How many person in SNF on live dependent oxygen. No electricity no power for portable concentrators---portable tanks small green last only 8 hours.

b. Water supply and food issues---same for everyone.

c. this happened on a Sunday--bet only 1 professional in the building. Louisiana has lax legislation--might really be Assisted living with only med aides and CNA staffing place. With flooding , no one form outer area to get in.

d. No one came to evacuate Charity hospital until Docs called AP news. Don't have any better communication in SNF facilities to get word to outside responders.

e Only time will tell all the facts.

Sad all the way around.

Agree with the above, especially with the staffing issues.

Plus how are you going to notify someone when there is no way to notify anyone of anything?

In some places the water rose in a matter of minutes. When nursing homes may have staffing of an aide per 10-20 patients, what would they have been able to do with a poorly responsive patient/struggling dementia patient/violent alzheimer's patient?

It looks bad, but as Karen said, we do not know the facts.

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