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It is an unfortunate truth that medical mistakes occur. Doctors and nurses are humans, after all, and sometimes commit errors. However, sometimes those errors result in the serious injury and sometimes deaths of patients. It is these times when they can face criminal charges, especially if they do not report these mistakes for immediate correction.
In a court case, a former nurse at a Chilton County nursing home has pleaded guilty last week to an elder abuse charge. The charge came as a result of the nurse inadvertently gave a patient the wrong medication and failed to report the mistake.
53-year-old Katherine Blevins Lenoir of Maplesville, pleaded guilty to one count of abuse of a protected person on March 8th.
Lenoir had been employed at Don Hatley Heathcare and Rehabilitation of Clanton. Lenoir is a licensed practical nurse and admitted that she inadvertently administered a large dose of a narcotic pain reliever to a patient. The requested medicine had been cough medicine.
Where she should have reported her mistake, Lenoir manipulated treatment records to show that she had given the correct medication. The patient was given an overdose of the pain medication. This was discovered by a nurse on another shift and the patient was rushed to the hospital for treatment. The patient spent several days in intensive care before being released.
If Lenoir had reported the mistake immediately, the patient would not have suffered nearly as much.
The sentencing phase of Lenoir’s trial is scheduled for May 11, 2016. Lenoir could face up to 10 years of imprisonment for her oversight and cover up.
If you believe that yourself or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the “Strong Arm” attorneys at the law offices of John Foy & Associates. We will work to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
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