A few weeks back I wrote a short article [LET’S PUT MORE NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS AND OWNERS IN JAIL]about putting the bad nursing home administrator’s in jail. That article brought me a scathing email from an administrator from the mid-west telling me my suggestion was outrageous! Maybe so, but look at what is happening in Pittsburgh!
The former administrator of the Ronald Reagan Atrium Nursing Center, Martha Bell, is facing trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter. The prosecutor in the case has stated the facility had a history of being woefully understaffed, which led to the death of an 88 year old resident. The prosecution’s evidence will show that the resident was found dead outside the facility at 4:30 AM. The county coroners determined the resident died from a heart attack, after wandering outside in mid-40 degree weather and was unable to get back into the building. If that is not enough, the administrator is also charged with tampering with evidence – as it appears she ordered two nursing aids to bring the resident’s body back into the building, clean her up, put the body in bed, and enter a record into the resident’s chart indicating she died in her bed.
If true, this administrator should spend substantial time in jail. Follow the trial for yourself.