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Nursing home sued over clogged breathing tube

LTC Liability Monitor, April 6, 2005

The sister of a man who allegedly died after his breathing tube became clogged has filed a federal lawsuit against the nursing home where he lived, the St. Paul [MN] Pioneer Press reported. David Covelski died nine days after he was admitted to Rose of Sharon Manor in Roseville, MN, for rehabilitation following surgery to implant a tracheostomy tube.

The suit accuses Extendicare Health Services, Inc.-which owns the nursing home-and associated corporate entities of negligence and wrongful death, violations of patient rights, consumer fraud, and false advertising. In the four days before his death, Covelski repeatedly complained of difficulty breathing and told nursing staff he thought his breathing tube was clogged, according to the Pioneer Press. When he suffered respiratory failure, staff was allegedly ill-trained to respond, failing to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, among other things. The Minnesota Department of Health has investigated the death and ruled it a case of neglect.

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