Published: May 10, 2008 12:05 am            

LETTERS: May 10, 2008

Reader: Shouldn’t we have peace of mind?



Today, I can say in my opinion there is something wrong — a regrettable something, a heartbreaking something, nothing we can drown out, drive away or push aside. It is with us every second of every day.

In December 2007, my mother entered Providence Retirement Home. A stay for rehab resulted in pneumonia, pressure ulcer, dehydration, infection and death. Cause: Sepsis and Dehydration.

On March 11, I found my mother totally weak. Asking the nurse what was wrong with my mother I was told “she had depleted a lot.” When I was alarmed asking to see her last lab results I was told: “when it is your time to go, it is your time to go.” I said yes if I drop dead right now in front of you it was my time to go, but not from infection! Oh, if you read the nursing notes you will find the daughter was full of anxiety! Was it anxiety or maybe concern!

On March 17, I once again found Mom very weak. I went to speak with the nurse asking to see labs. Finding elevations again I asked how this can be, she is on Bactrim. The nurse stated there was no order for antibiotic. Mom’s chart was pulled on my insistence and the overlooked order was discovered. It was nearly four days without antibiotics! Later that evening I got a gut instinct to return and check on mom. I found her lethargic! I demanded stat labs and IV; this required doctor approval. The nurse said a doctor stated it wasn’t warranted. I had mom transported to the ER. Subsequently, she passed two days later.

To the nurse that charted my anxiety, I say: was it anxiety or my expressed duty and obligation to ensure proper care of my mother? With her passing it would seem my anxiety was justified. Should we have peace of mind because our loved ones are in hands of professionals? The answer should be yes, but in my opinion Providence failed.

— Carol Sosnicki, Borden



Response: We take care very seriously



We wish to send our sincere sympathies to the Sosnicki family. Due to federal privacy laws we are not able to discuss specific patient information. I do want to assure the community that Providence Retirement Home continually strives to provide excellent care to our residents, and we have guidelines in place to help assure that we consistently follow established quality care standards. In fact, Providence is rated above the state average for retirement homes in nearly every quality of care measure. And, our licensed nursing staff spends more hours per day with our residents than the state or national averages for retirement homes.

Our commitment to excellence is also evident in the results of our recent resident satisfaction survey, which is conducted independently by an organization that surveys long-term care facilities throughout the United States. In the most recent survey, 99 percent of our residents and their families said they would recommend Providence to others.

For more than 40 years we have proudly served the people of New Albany and the surrounding communities. At Providence Retirement Home, we take resident care very seriously and we are committed to our Mission of treating each resident with dignity, respect and sacredness of life.

— Kathy Christian, Providence Retirement Home Administrator, New Albany

        

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