A private nursing home in Waterford has been found to have breached care regulations following the death of a patient who ingested a latex glove.
67-year-old James Griffin died in November 2008 - five days after he was rushed to hospital when the glove was found in his airway.
James (Jim) Griffin was a patient at the Mowlam nursing home at Ballinakill in Waterford city.
Emergency workers were called after Mr Griffin was found lying on his bedroom floor, unable to breathe and without a pulse.
Two care assistants tried to revive him after they found him unconscious and a latex glove was subsequently removed from Mr Griffin’s airwave.
He was brought to Waterford Regional hospital but never recovered.
The Health Service Executive took a case against the nursing home and this morning Judge David Kennedy found the nursing home to have breached care regulations. He imposed a fine of €750.
The executive took the action, under Section 5 (a) of the Nursing Home Care and Welfare Regulations 1993 and Section 6 (3) (a) of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990.
The action was taken on foot of a complaint by Mr Griffin's family and was brought following an HSE three-person investigation into the case.
Judge Kennedy said that he was satisfied that the home ‘did not’ provide the adequate care for Mr Griffin, a patient with advanced dementia.
The nursing home was fined €750 and costs were awarded to the HSE, while recognisances were set in the event of an appeal.
Afterwards, Mr Griffin's brothers and sister said they were relieved the case was over.
