By Peter Laird, MD
The defense continues to establish evidence that Kimberly Saenz was not observed infusing bleach with two of the alleged victims. Interestingly, the prosecution has absolutely no physical evidence whatsoever on one of the alleged ten victims. Carolyn Risinger according to testimony on Monday from her husband was never informed of any alleged bleach infusion nor that they should immediately go to the Emergency Room as did Ms. Rhone. In such, we have no blood tests at all from the alleged witnessed attack against Mrs. Risinger on April 28, 2008. In addition, the physical evidence with the dialysis machine was likewise discarded allegedly by the DaVita staff accidentally.
Former co-worker describes attitude of capital murder suspect
The witness testified that he could not recall who exactly stripped the bloodlines off of Rhone's machine. Deaton pointed out that Sockwell told Abbott that he stripped the machines himself.
"Do you know why Ms. Risinger's bloodlines were not saved?" said Deaton.
"No, I do not," said the witness.
Deaton asked where Ms. Risinger's bloodlines went after her episode.
"They were probably in a red biohazard bag in a trash can," said the witness.
This is just one episode of the DaVita bleach murder case that defies absurdity in my opinion. In other words, the prosecution is trying the defendant for an alleged attack on Mrs. Risinger that she and her husband had no awareness, nor is there any physical evidence with blood tests or even the dialysis blood tubing and kidney. The facts that this physical evidence appears to have been handled with so little regard should caution those that have confidence in the other physical evidence of the other alleged cases. One aspect that further defies credulity is the fact that apparently no one at this DaVita unit can think of any reason why bleach would be found in a sharps box except that the defendant placed it there allegedly.
Former co-worker describes attitude of capital murder suspect
"Do you know of any reason bleach could get into a sharps container?"
The witness replied that he could not think of a reason for that.
"What do you put in sharps containers?" said Herrington.
"Needles, syringes, and medication bottles that you might have chair side," said the witness.
Herrington also pointed out that in an interview, Sockwell did not mention picking up Ms. Rhone's sharps containers until after she was sick. Herrington concluded that the witness picked up the container after the episode.
After dialyzing in over ten different dialysis units in at least seven different states, the answer in my mind is quite academic. It is a very common practice to wring out bleach towelettes into sinks, trash cans and yes, sharps containers if that is the closest place to wring out a towelette when cleaning the dialysis station. It is something that I have personally done myself while doing my own self care dialysis for nearly two years. Apparently, no one at the Lufkin DaVita dialysis unit ever saw that practice. I know I have.
The trial continues the rest of this week. As we consider the case, I can readily exclude a guilty verdict in my opinion for Mrs. Risinger based on absolutely no forensic proof with no evidence whatsoever other than an alleged eyewitness account that is disputed by competent staff and DaVita observers present in the clinic that day. For a capital murder case, I would expect more explicit proof that I have seen in the news reports to date.
As I have been stating for years, this (below, from Lufkin news) clearly supports the findings that are in the facility inspection (survey) reports. How many mistakes took place that were not reported, or shoved under the carpet? Read more Davita surveys (inspection reports) at www.qualitysafepatientcare.com
From Lufkin News --“After taking the stand Tuesday afternoon, Nick Luker, a former DaVita Dialysis biomedical technician who performed maintenance on the machines, detailed how his 8 1/2 years working at the facility resulted in burnout. He said he and his co-workers were so overworked they, along with the patients, feared medical mistakes were possible.” -- I wonder if this was brought to the attention of Lufkin Davita management and corporate level individuals? From recall, it appears there might have been a meeting with corporate and staff/patients regarding problems, prior to the alleged event with Saenz ---Perhaps, this statement from Mr. Luker will bring more attention to that which takes place in dialysis units. Perhaps, Mr. Luker’s statement will make CMS, the oversight agency and our legislators realize that patients are often in harm’s way in many units due to being overworked, making short cuts in practices, not being fully trained/education and no supervision in their units. Maybe, just maybe.
Further stated in Lufkin News, “”After the jury was brought in, Luker testified he did not believe DaVita’s head biomed was properly maintaining the machines”” --- If you read some of the Davita surveys, in California, you might see where the facilities were cited for problems with machines, testing water, etc. Again, hoping that someone will realize how patients, in many units, are in harm’s way when they receive treatments.
There is now an 800 number (advocates, who are not connected to the industry) to call if they are having problems in their units with delivery of care, retaliation or other problems. This media coverage might encourage more patients to speak out to ensure their own safety --- 1- 800- 847-8842
OPINIONS OF ROBERTA MIKLES BA RN
DIALYSIS PATIENT SAFETY ADVOCATE
DIRECTOR, ADVOCATES4QUALITYSAFEPATIENTCARE.COM
Posted by: Roberta Mikles BA RN | Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 06:52 AM