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October 13, 2024
Dementia sufferer Elizabeth Warrington, 85, was partially placed in a bath by carer Joseph Rae that was too hot.
While he was washing her at Campsie View Care Home, it was noticed that Ms Warrington was “distressed”.
Assistant carer Jacqueline Mitchellini, who was helping Rae, felt the water and they took Ms Warrington out of the bath and placed cold towels around her legs.
The elderly lady, who cannot walk or speak, and needs help with all aspects of daily life, was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary when her legs began to bleed.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Four Seasons Health Care who run the care home at Canal Street, Kirkintilloch, pled guilty to breaching health and safety regulations.
The care provider admitted to the charges between August 1 and September 18, 2009.
They admitted failing to ensure a tamper-proof system was incorporated into the plumbing system and failing to provide adequate training, instruction and supervision to staff.
This led to Ms Warrington being partially submerged in water when the temperature was in excess of 44C and sustaining scald injuries to her feet and legs to her severe injury.
The court heard that Miss Warrington was 80 at the time of the incident and has been a resident of Campsie View since April 1995.
Procurator fiscal depute Selena Brown said: “She was born with a disability meaning she cannot speak and requires the use of a board to communicate.”
Ms Warrington also has dementia and is “unable to walk unaided” and because of her physical disabilities requires help.
It was heard that she suffered burns to her legs when carers placed her in a bath when the water was too hot.
The court was told that around 6.30pm carer Joseph Rae, who had worked at the home for five years, prepared the water in a bath and checked the temperature by hand.
Ms Brown said: “He (Rae) did not use the digital thermometer in the bathroom and provided for this.” This type of bath can be adjusted and reclined to making assisted bathing easier.
Rae was helped by Mitchellini who had been working as an assistant carer for a year and a half.
Ms Warrington was hoisted and her feet and legs were placed into the bath but when Rae began to wash them there was a clear problem.
Ms Brown said: “Elizabeth Warrington appeared to be distressed, she was making noises and bending down towards her feet.”
Mitchellini felt the water and they took the pensioner out of the bath and cold towels were placed round her legs and senior staff were informed.
The court was told: “As the night progressed her legs began to weep and bleed.”
Ms Warrington was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where she was treated for four percent partial thickness burns that were blistered and bleeding.
Medics said the injuries were consistent with the water being 56 degrees. She was treated for three weeks and on October 9 was discharged from the hospital.
There have been “no long term lasting effects”. The court was told that when the temperature of the water supplied was later checked, it was between 56 and 65C.
It was also heard that the bath water should have been no hotter than 43C and that the particular temperature valve could be altered by anybody.
Rae and Mitchellini were suspended from work and chose not to return again.
Defence lawyer Ray Gribben, for Four Seasons health care expressed regret and remorse on behalf company. He said there has been a previously good health and safety record.
Mr Gribben said the type of “thermostatic temperature valve” on the plumbing systems have since been changed to ensure that temperatures are not changed.
Sheriff Daniel Scullion deferred sentence until a later date.
Source STV News