Virginia Nursing Home Could Face Charges in Death of Resident

Posted on Apr 12, 2008

What a difference a day makes.

That’s the irony the Wiggins family of Williamsburg, Va. is dealing with after the death of its’ 84-year-old mother.

Lorina Wiggins, 84 had been a resident of the Ruxton Health nursing facility before being transported to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, after nursing home staff reported she had numerous Stage IV pressure sores. Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors there said the sores were untreatable. Wiggins died a week later, according to the Virginia Gazette in Williamsburg. The sores on Wiggins’ legs ranged in size from 2-by-1 inches to 7-by-3 inches.

One son, Mike, said Ruxton had telephoned him a week before the transfer saying his mother was in good condition. Then the very next day, Ruxton staff called back to ask his permission to amputate his mother’s leg. Another son, Bob, visited his mother at Ruxton and asked staff to transport his mother immediately to the hospital. However, Ruxton staff said his mother’s case was a non-emergency matter, said the Gazette.

Williamsburg Police requested the medical records of Wiggins. Manuals and standard operating procedures for the care of bedsores and open wounds have also been requested by police. Meantime, Williamsburg-James City County Commonwealth Attorney Nate Green said “We have been concerned about a number of patients where issues have been raised,” Green said, relating to the Ruxton home. “We are investigating both the care provided and illegalities there.”

Green went on to say the nursing home, not any one individual would face possible charges.” At this time we don’t believe that one person is responsible. We are looking into whether the entire facility acted criminally,” the Gazette confirmed.

The Department of Health & Human Services Administration on Aging defines elder abuse as, “any knowing, intentional or negligent act by a caregiver that causes harm or serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult,” the Gazette reported.