A police investigation into a recent spike in patient deaths at the DaVita Lufkin Dialysis Center is believed to be the result of a criminal act by an employee who has since been fired, a company spokesman said Friday.
"We believe the events that led to our voluntarily closing the Lufkin Dialysis center are the result of a criminal act by an individual who has been terminated and is no longer working at the center," said DaVita spokesman Michael Chee.
Andy Adams/The Lufkin Daily News |
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Lufkin Police Department confirmed it is investigating allegations of criminal intent by one employee, saying it is a "large part of the investigation" but "not the entire focus of the investigation," said spokesman Lt. David Young.
"The investigation is focused on a lot of things, including an investigation into one person," Young said.
Chee said the employment of the teammate, a term the company uses for its employees, was terminated April 29, a day after the company contacted state health investigators and LPD about a recent spike in patient deaths and life-threatening complications. The spokesman said the teammate was a long-time employee, but would not release the hiring date because of personnel privacy issues.
DaVita and LPD are not releasing further information about the employee because of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made, and no charges filed, Young said.
State health officials concluded their investigation into patient deaths at the 700 S. John Redditt Drive facility this week. A report is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Investigators with LPD and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are continuing to compile information, which includes lab testing of patient blood samples, equipment and drugs used at the center. Investigators are also continuing to interview patients and review patient medical history, a police spokesman said.
The number of patient deaths has not been released.
"It's hard to put a firm number on (the deaths) because we have to look at medical history ... and determine which were natural," Young said.
Since Davita temporarily closed its doors at the end of April, more than 120 patients have been sent from the Lufkin center for care at surrounding facilities to which they are being bused at the company's expense, said Chee in a previous interview.He said the company is working closely with state health officials and hopes to reopen its doors soon.
"We would like very much to reopen our facility as soon as possible. we know our patients are calling and asking when we will open," he said "But it won't happen until state health authorities notify us.
DaVita, Inc., is a nationwide kidney care service company that serves more than 100,000 patients in 43 states at its more than 1,300 outpatient facilities, according to the company.
Comments
By Delia
Aug 21, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
What is going on with this situation? Is this nurse being charged, being let go or what? I would like an update.
By wow gold
Aug 6, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this
wow gold
wow gold
By wow gold
Aug 6, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this
wow gold
wow gold
By ex tech indiana
Jul 30, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Obviously only the first line of my comment was read because i go on to explain that I cannot live my life being pissed for there decision on there own choice for there life. But i do get upset that i try and try to explain to them the bad decisions they make will ultimatly kill them. The resentment I feel I guess I should say is more towards other staff because of there lack of care for patients and there love for money, as well as higher up davita employees who do not actually work in a facility with these people, make it impossible for the pts to hear my voice because everyone else around us few caring staff is saying who cares just make sure your here and on time so we don't have any delays and you better not have any problems or will be really mad at you.
By concerned
Jul 29, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
There is no reason for resentment towards patients. The patients are the reason you have a job. Resent the company that promises you something that they know you will never get. If you are just there for the money you are in the wrong place. Sure, everyone goes to work to get a paycheck, but if that is the ONLY reason you go to work, you need to find another field to work in. Healthcare is no place for you. Love of money is what caused all of this in the first place. DaVita and their greed, not wanting to spend money where it needs to be spent and cutting corners that shouldn't be cut.
By another one
Jul 28, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
"Would we feel slight resentment to patients that do not meet there goals and affect the bonus" "a little sure!"
And, this tells it all. Patient care driven by bonuses? Resentment towards patients! Thanks for your honesty. If this is prevalent a closer look is warranted.
By ex tech to professional
Jul 27, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
Would we feel slight resentment to patients that do not meet there goals and affect the bonus? a little sure! but they are, for the most part, adults they will do as they wish. It is our job to take care of them while there at treatment and educate them on the decisions they should be making with there diets and meds. But, again they are adults and it helps me to sleep knowing I at least tried instead of being pissed off about there "own life" decision they have made. Regardless of all that, the matter is I never felt that good about caring for these patients because Davita wouldn't give me that time to properly care for them! Because of this we were making there condition worse rather than better. If they feel we don't care and were pushing them aside then why should they care. Are push aside, scream at them for making a wrong decision attitude gives them the same reaction. They think fine then i might as well push my care aside to because if "professional's" are doing it why can't I?!?
By professional
Jul 24, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Would staff feel resentment towards patients who did not meet goals which affected their (staff) bonuses?
By The Wave
Jul 24, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Problems concerning the wave have been brought up at staff meetings only to be ignored by those in charge. They say just give it time and once you get used to it you will like it. BULL!!! Just their way of pacifying the workers.
They promise you big bonuses, but put the goals for the bonuses out of reach because they base them on things that are not in your control. How are you supposed to control what a patient eats or how much they drink between treatments? You can't! You can counsel them about what they are supposed to do and warn them of adverse affects if they don't do what they are supposed to do. But you can't go home with them and hold their hand to make sure they do it. They are running patients through these clinics like cattle, making a fortune off of the government and insurance companys and could care less about the patients or the people who do all of the work for them. I understand that this is a "for profit" company, but what would be the harm in putting some of that profit back into the business and doing things right instead of cutting corners until you finally cut the corner too sharp and start costing people their lives?!
By To ex tech Indiana
Jul 24, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
You are absolutly right. You are not allowed time to focus on patient care and individual patient needs with "the wave". I honestly believe that the reason that master plan was implemented was to ensure that there was absolutly no down-time for the direct care staff, ensuring that the company got every second they were paying for from staff. While there is nothing wrong with getting your moneys worth from employees, there is a problem when you push the employees to the point where they are unable to do their job in a safe manor, especially in the healthcare field where you have other peoples lives in your hands. The object of "the wave" was to maximize the number of patients that went through the clinics every day, not to maximize patient care.
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