Minnesota health officials concluded that an assisted living facility committed negligence after a resident with a history of mental illness and alcohol dependence was given 18 shots of liquor and one beer in a period of less than 24 hours before a scheduled doctor's appointment.
The investigation was conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health, which determined that the Covered Bridge Assisted Living facility, located in Holdingford, was responsible for negligence in patient care.
The patient was unable to attend a medical appointment after consuming large amounts of alcohol
According to the official report, the resident, identified as Don Brambrink, had a doctor's appointment via telemedicine, but was unable to attend after consuming a large amount of alcohol while fishing.
The facility's registered nurse told investigators that the patient was completely unconscious due to alcohol consumption.
The report details that the resident received two drinks of liquor at different times during the night before and the morning of the consultation. Additionally, he consumed a beer around 5:00 a.m.
In total, according to the investigation, he received 18 drinks of liquor and one beer before the medical appointment.
He was taken to hospital with a high blood alcohol level.
The primary care physician recommended that the patient be transported to an emergency room.
Later, when the office contacted the residence again to request his vital signs, the staff reported that Brambrink had been found on the floor and that he was not feeling well.
The man was taken to a hospital, where medical staff recommended keeping him under observation due to the risk of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
However, according to the report, the patient refused to remain hospitalized and expressed that he preferred to return to his residence to continue consuming alcohol.
Tests determined that he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.23%, almost three times the legal limit for driving in the United States.
The resident had a history of mental health problems and alcohol dependence
The investigation indicates that Brambrink had various diagnoses related to mental health, including psychoactive substance use disorders and anxiety.
It was also documented that he had heard voices for approximately 40 years, was previously homeless, and had a history of daily alcohol and methamphetamine use.
According to the report, the establishment had an individualized “alcohol plan” that established the provision of two drinks per hour, because the resident stated that alcohol helped him cope with the voices he heard.
The residence rejects the finding and will file an appeal
The owner of Covered Bridge Assisted Living, Trista Barstow, defended the center's actions and maintained that the institution serves people with severe alcohol dependence that few residences accept.
Barstow said monitoring alcohol consumption and distributing it throughout the day represents a safer alternative to leaving residents unchecked.
In a statement, the administrator indicated that the center will appeal the conclusion of the Department of Health.
He also argued that Minnesota law recognizes the right of legally competent adult residents to make personal decisions, including the decision to consume alcohol.
However, he assured that the establishment's duty is to inform about the risks, monitor the health status of the residents and provide medical care when the situation requires it, as happened when Brambrink was transferred to the hospital.
