Question

A 75-year-old patient at a licensed healthcare provider care center suffered from diabetes, dementia, coronary artery disease, immobile decubitus ulcers (bedsores), and was unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. Her physician prescribed a daily whirlpool bath as a medical treatment for the decubitus ulcers. The facility did not have a whirlpool, so she was given a regular daily bath. A certified nursing assistant prepared a bath for the patient and placed her in hot water that was 138 degrees and that subsequently caused severe burns from which she died three days later.

A wrongful death action was brought. Parties settled before trial for $1.5 million. Although the vignette is based on this case, do not consult the case for additional facts. Answer each question based on the facts presented in the vignette.

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS AND DO NOT PROVIDE ANSWERS THAT IS ALREADY ON CHEGG

1. Does the apology statute apply to this case? Yes or No? Why?
2. How could the patient’s death have been prevented? How could a safer environment have been provided as it relates to caring and communication?
3. Are all of the elements of negligence present in this case?
4. Discuss the breaches of the standard of care.

Answer 1

1)

No,

Apology statute is not applicable in this case.This is because in this case,the death of the client is very wrongful.and the parties settled before trial for $1.5 million.

When a quality care was given to the client,they can avoid the unnecessary death.

2)

The patient death can be prevented by providing a bath with water temperature between 36-40°C and through a healthy communication between the client and the care giver.

3)

This 75 year old patient is suffered from many disease conditions.so caring must be give under many supervision and proper communication between the patient and the care giver.

It include:

-Proper Physical examination of client.

-Ask for any discomfort

-Always ask for the client opinion before do any proceedures.

-Proper checking of vital signs.

-Assessment of neurological status.

-Checking the temperature of water frequently during bathing.

-Checking for any Signs of allergic reaction including itching, swelling, redness on skin.

-Always maintain a good and healthy relationship between client and the care giver.

3)

Yes,all of the elements of negligence are presented in this case.because,when the client was exposed in a 138 degree hot water,the client surely show the signs of discomfort and pain of the burn.But the care giver not consider it as a serious issue.

4)

-The standard of care which given to the client was very poor and it results in the death of the client.

-standard of care is the degree of care that a reasonable person should exercise under the circumstances.If a person does not meet the standard of care,he or she may be liable to a third party for negligence.

-A clinical care standard is a small number of quality statement that describe the care of patients should be offered by health professionals and health service for a specific clinical condition.

CONCLUSION

Here we discuss about the given case, it's prevention and how to solve this issue.