Luisa and Josie DeMarte want all caretakers to have the same training so they are taught how to avoid accidents such as the one suffered by their mother. (Photo: Martin Chamberland)
Employee training for patients questioned
Female patient in Yvon-Brunet Residence dies after falling from a patient lift
Insufficient training provided by a private company for personnel who care for patients could be the cause of death of an Alzheimer’s patient confined in the Yvon-Brunet Residence. The patient fell from a patient lift in her room on February 1, 2007 according to the victim’s two daughters who filed a complaint against the CSSS of south west Verdun.
The victim’s daughter, Luisa deMarte said, “Only a distraction or a lack of understanding of how to operate a patient lift can explain what happened.” Her mother, Carmela Gioffrè DeMarte succumbed to her wounds the same day of her fall at the age of 84 at the Montreal General Hospital where she was taken to be treated in the trauma centre. She suffered neurological damage, respiratory problems, a hip fracture and gashes in her chin and eye during the fall estimated at between five and six feet. She had hit her face when she fell.
A controversial report
In his report dated May 18, 2007, Coroner Jacques Robinson said that the victim had slipped from the fabric that was used to carry her and then fell. The caretaker was not accused of any criminal wrongdoing. To avoid this type of accident, the Coroner recommended, among other things, that caretakers from private agencies must be able to prove their skills at manipulating patient lifts.
The DeMarte sisters do not believe any of the explanation concerning their mother slipping from the fabric. “The fabric was still attached to the lift after the fall. Moreover, this same fabric was used to transport my mother from her bed to the wheelchair and even to the bathroom. She was certainly capable and was holding the lift properly. She was not supposed to slip,” Luisa said.
The report contained opinions that contradicted the version given by the caretaker on the use of the lift at the time of the fateful accident. The belts were not securely fastened and the legs of the lift were not drawn wide enough, according to an employee. An officer would have noticed as well that the fabric was not installed correctly.
Doubts regarding training
Upon receiving the notice, the CSSS passed the blame on the private agency that had provided the caretaker; the wish of Luisa and her sister is to ensure that caretakers coming from private agencies follow the same training that regular caretakers receive.
“The question of training comes into light when one sees so many caretakers coming from private agencies and are being assigned even in institutions and facilities that require equipment handling for patients”, Luisa pointed out. “To be able to do the same job, they must receive the same training and must be subject to testing so they can update their skills,” Josie added.
As for the CSSS, management said that they will not comment in any way on the accident while the matter is being investigated.
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