Short-staffed facility led to patient’s death, family claimed

Sherrod’s family alleged that the death precipitated from  serious physical injury and neglect that occurred during her  3.5-month stay at High Pointe Health and Rehabilitation in  Memphis. On July 30, 2004, she was admitted to the nursing  facility suffering from multiple medical problems, including a  history of five previous strokes, severe heart disease (congestive  heart failure, arrhythmia and heart block), diabetes mellitus,  coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and severe  dementia. Also at the time of her admission, Sherrod was fed by  a tube –– previously having lost her ability to swallow –– and  suffered a pressure ulcer on her left heel. 

Upon her discharge on Nov. 15, 2005, Sherrod suffered  from malnutrition, dehydration, and septic shock, and she was  transferred to Methodist University Hospital. Her family alleged  that her pressure ulcer had deteriorated and she suffered additional  wounds over and above those she had upon admission.

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