Following PennLive series, coroner proposes Pa. nursing homes report all deaths to coroners
Patriot-NewsJan 16, 2019
"I'm a firm believer that all nursing home deaths and assisted living facility deaths -- whether they are natural or not -- are reported to the coroner's office just to make sure everything is appropriate," Grim said.
A 2016 PennLive investigation, Failing the Frail, found that 46 nursing home residents died in
A follow-up investigation published in November, 2018, Still Failing the Frail, found that some of
Currently, only deaths that a nursing home or assisted living facility deems as not due to natural disease processes -- such as deaths due to homicide, suicide, or accidents -- are reported to county coroners. In December, for instance,
Grim said, under the law change he plans to promote, nursing homes and assisted living facilities would be required to call their local coroner regardless of the cause of death.
Once contacted, a coroner would then ask the nursing home a series of questions about the deceased person, such as how they died, their medical history and whether they experienced any trauma before their death.
If anything seemed unusual, Grim said, a coroner could then choose to examine the body, review medical records, and conduct a full investigation.
Grim said he intends to discuss his proposal with local lawmakers and promote it among his fellow coroners.
"I just think we are missing certain deaths that should be reported to us," Grim said.
At least two states,
Presidents of coroner's associations in
"It's hard to think of a healthcare facility neglecting and abusing their patients but we all know in the real world that happens," Cleghorn said. "So these people deserve a voice."
Cleghorn said he personally hadn't encountered a case that turned out to be due to neglect or abuse.
However, he said, his predecessor uncovered two deaths around 2009 that were determined to be due to neglect or abuse. Cleghorn said the nursing homes were collectively fined about
Cleghorn, coroner of
Ideally, Cleghorn said, all deaths in the nation's elderly care facilities should be examined by coroners or, at the very least, reported to them.
"I'm a huge advocate for the voice of the deceased," Cleghorn said. "They deserve to have someone speak up for them."
For its part,
However, Marles noted, state law already requires licensed medical personnel to conduct examinations when a resident dies.
"We focus on supporting that family and meeting their needs," Marles said in a statement "Adding another layer of review could increase trauma for families."
"We caution that any new reporting requirements should not be duplicative or conflict with current state and federal law," McDaid said in a statement. "We look forward to working with the legislature and the administration on how
At least one
Mantheiy said he supported Grim's proposal. However, he said, he was concerned that
"I think it's a good idea," Mantheiy said. "The only problem is that there doesn't seem to be much interest in the state of
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