Two families have filed lawsuits against Buffalo Center, Iowa-based Timely Mission Nursing Home, alleging neglect and abuse by staff caused two resident deaths, according to The Globe Gazette.
The most recent lawsuit was filed two weeks ago by the family of Virginia Olthoff, who died in February 2018. CMS fined Timely Mission $77,462 in August 2018 for Ms. Olthoff's death and the death of another, unidentified resident on the same day.
When Ms. Olthoff began crying and screaming on Feb. 27, 2018, Timely Mission staff members only gave her nonprescription pain medication, according to a state report. They waited three hours to call an ambulance, even though they could not feel Ms. Olthoff's pulse. Ms. Olthoff died later that same day after returning to Timely Mission from the hospital.
The second lawsuit comes from the family of Darlene Weaver, who died in June 2017. The lawsuit will go to trial in March 2020, but Timely Mission is trying to postpone the date. Ms. Weaver's family says the nursing home did not transfer her to a higher level of care when she needed it, did not notify her doctor or family of a change in her condition and failed to properly monitor her.
"We place the utmost importance on the wellbeing and safety of those in our care," Timely Mission officials told The Globe Gazette. "Our staff understands their great responsibility and focus on maintaining an outstanding and comfortable living situation for our residents. As a result, we are in complete compliance with state guidelines."