Nurse Accused of Overmedicating Patients Fined

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Nurse Accused of Overmedicating Patients Fined

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

“A former nurse accused of overmedicating patients in 2006 at a Woodstock nursing home was placed on probation Wednesday for two years and fined $5,000.” The woman “pleaded guilty in October to a felony charge of neglect of a long-term patient in exchange for an agreement by prosecutors to drop five other felony counts against her,” reports the Chicago Tribune.

As part of the plea deal, the former nurse – Marty Himebaugh – admitted that she gave a nursing home resident medicine that he had not been prescribed in an effort to calm him down and get him under control. Himebaugh dosed the man with .25 milligrams of Ativan and an “unspecified amount” of Risperdal. Afterward, the nursing home resident passed out, fell to the ground and sustained a cut on his head.

Himebaugh, along with her former nursing home supervisor Penny Whitlock, came under scrutiny and subsequent charges after a 2008 nursing home investigation. Ms. Whitlock was acquitted of charges that she turned the other cheek while Himebaugh allegedly overmedicated patients earlier this year.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Millions of families are faced with difficult decisions regarding the care of their elderly loved ones every day. Sometimes that decision results in entrusting the care of a loved one to a nursing home or long term care facility. When you make the difficult decision to move your family member into a nursing or long term care facility, you deserve the peace of mind of knowing they are safe and well cared for. In the event that you see warning signs that this is not the case, you need to act quickly to avoid Chicago nursing home abuse, neglect or even death. These signs may include:

• Unexplained injuries (bumps, bruises, broken bones, etc.)
• Noticeable physical changes (poor personal hygiene, rapid weight loss or gain)
• Mental health symptoms (depression, withdrawal)
• Infections or bedsores

If your loved one is exhibiting any of the above behaviors or is just acting “off” since they have entered a nursing home or care facility, immediate action is advisable. One of your best resources is a nursing home abuse and neglect attorney in Chicago or your area. They have extensive experience dealing with these types of situation and will work with you to ensure that your loved one is well taken care of and receives the care they are entitled to. They can also work with you to receive compensation on behalf of your loved one if they have sustained nursing home abuse or neglect.