Blog | PSW Charged for Criminal Negligence Causing Death

06/20/11: After an accidental fall, a Ontario personal support worker has been charged with the death of a 91 year old resident

Via Durham Regional Police

A Personal Support Worker (PSW) has been charged after an elderly resident in a Pickering nursing home died as a result of injuries from a fall.

According to the short press release, the PSW in question (Diane Peck) moved a 91 year old female client without the assistance of a co-worker worker or the use of a company mandatory lift system. During the move the client was accidental dropped, suffered a leg injury. Likely afraid of a reprimand, the PSW choose to not report the injury. A few days later fellow staff members began to notice the leg injury. The client was then taken to a local hospital. The injury ultimately ended up being a diagnosed as a fractured femur. A week later, the ailing 91-year old Alzheimer’s patient died “due to complications from the leg injury”.

Is this a cut and dry case or something more? The employers outlined rules & practises for care requires multiple personal support workers & a lift to move clients.

How does a PSW go about protecting themselves?

It’s easy to say that the employee should have waited but there are many different factors involved. Some could rightfully argue that a overall lack of standardized industry regulations, along with the growing number of psw’s entering the profession on a year round basis applies pressure to current on-staff employees. The two following factors (and many others) can make it difficult for an employee to stand up for themselves.

Optimally a personal support worker should focus all of their efforts upon keeping clients safe and healthy. This seems like such an obvious statement, doesn’t it? But it takes on a different spin when time is tight and employees/supervisors are becoming testy.

Judgement calls can be difficult but client (and your own) safety must come first. If you ever find yourself pressured by co-workers and/or supervisors, it might be a good idea to let them know about this recent case of criminal negligence. It should help to put things into perspective, even during a busy day.