A coroner has question whether the standard of care at a residential aged care facility in Tasmania’s north-west met proper requirements after an elderly man died from a fall-related injury.
Aubrey Charles Reeve was 98-years-old when he passed away at the Umina Park Nursing Home in Burnie in July 2023.
Coroner Simon Cooper said Reeve had multiple health issues and experienced frequent falls during the last year of his life, even fracturing his pelvis at one point.
Cooper expressed his dissatisfaction with the quality of care Reeve received in his final weeks, stating that it did not meet appropriate standards.
“Clearly, steps needed to be taken to ensure, to the extent possible, that he was protected from the risk, and consequences, of falls,” Cooper said.
The coroner’s report uncovered non-functional movement detectors in Reeve’s room, as well as a lack of progress notes, fall assessments or care plans in his records.
The report also suggests Reeve was left on the floor of his room for some time prior to being hospitalised, which resulted in hypothermia.
After being hospitalised, Reeve died in palliative care back in the home.
“The care he received at Umina Park Residential Aged Care Facility was not of an acceptable standard and likely contributed to the fall that caused his death,” Copper ruled.
“It is essential that Residential Aged Care Facilities ensure that movement detectors, in addition to being fitted and appropriately installed as and when required, actually operate correctly.”
The coroner said steps have been taken by the facility following the incident, including fixing faulty equipment in a “timely manner” and enhancing the “overall quality of care” provided to residents.
In a statement to Pulse, OneCare Chief Executive Peter Williams confirmed that the group is already working to improve its systems and protocols to ensure there are no repeat incidents in the future.
“On behalf of OneCare, I offer my condolences to the family of Mr Reeve and sincerely apologise to them, along with our other residents and families, for failing to meet the very high standards we expect for our aged care facilities,” Williams said.
“As an organisation we strive to provide the highest quality of care each and every day and it is extremely regrettable that we failed to deliver on that commitment.”
“We do not take that lightly and have a responsibility to make sure we do better.”
