Worker Accused Of Neglect In Nursing Home Patient's Death

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – A former worker at a Waconia nursing home is accused of neglect after a patient with known breathing problems died in a bathroom, wasn't given CPR and 911 wasn't called, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

The incident happened last May at the Good Samaritan Society in Waconia, according to health records. A patient had been admitted to the facility after a five-day hospital visit related to the patient's breathing problems associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The patient's medical history shows a "Do Resuscitate" order and a "Provider Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment" order, which shows CPR should be performed or 911 should be called if the patient doesn't have a pulse or is not breathing.

Shortly after the resident was admitted, the resident became unresponsive while toileting. A facility worker was called to the room, but that worker did not initiate CPR or call 911. Despite the orders in writing, the worker did not perform them because the worker "was tired and not thinking clearly" during a night shift.

That worker has since resigned from the facility.