Washington

• 3 years with Discovery Rule. (Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §4.16.080)
• Medical malpractice – 3 years after the act or omission or one year after the discovery of the alleged negligent act or omission, whichever is later.  No act shall be brought more than 8 years after the act or omission. (Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §4.16.350)

• None.

• 3 years with Discovery Rule. (Wash. Rev. Code Ann. §4.16.080(2))

• None.

• Washington State Department of Health
• Adult Abuse Prevention Program
• Aging & Disability Services Administration
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman

• Abuse of Vulnerable Adults – (Wash. Rev. Code Ann §74.34)

• DNA Test Confirms Nursing Home Employee Raped Physically Disabled Patient

A 44-year old woman was raped in Kent Nursing Home in Seattle.  The victim was particularly vulnerable with mental and physical impairments.  The rape was not discovered until the woman had a miscarriage and DNA testing confirmed that the act was done by an employee of the nursing home.

'We entrust caregivers for dependent adults with tremendous responsibility for the health and well-being of the patient,' said Prosecutor Dan Satterberg.  

• Veterans Nursing Home To Close Following Discovery Of Dangerous Conditions

More than 30 veterans will be forced to relocate from a Washington VA after an outside review raised concerns about the quality of care and an internal audit validated those concerns.  The Long Term Care Institute was contracted by the VA nationally to review nursing homes around the country.  A surprise inspection at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center on raised immediate concerns about the physical infrastructure of the nursing building. Concerns included sloping floors and patients' access to doors and stairwells.  The review was also critical of control of medicationand the competence of nursing staff inserting intravenous catheter lines.

• Lawsuit Claims Nursing Home's Failure To Provide Medical Care For Cancer Patient Contributed To Death

The family of Charles Bradley has flied awrongful death lawsuit against Everett Care & Rehabilitation and the parent company Sunbridge Healthcare Corp. for failing to take any action when the facility became aware that the skin around Mr. Bradley's penis was 'breaking down'.  The lawsuit further alleges the that facility's failure to provide medical attention resulted in the advancement of penile cancer that contributed to Mr. Bradley's death.

According to the allegations in the lawsuit, staff at Everett Care documented the skin around Mr. Bradley's penis was 'breaking down' while changing his diaper in November, 2007.  Despite the staff's awareness of the skin issues, neither Mr. Bradley's physician or family was advised of his deteriorating medical condition.

• CNA Charged With The Rape Of An Elderly Woman In An Assisted Living Facility

Douglas McGregor, a CNA at an assisted living facility for dementia and Alzheimer's patients, stands accused of raping a 71-year-old woman with whom he was to assist in dressing. 

According McGregor, the elderly woman was 'tugging' on his waist line and the button on his pants broke, thereby exposing his genitals because he wasn't wearing any underwear.

• Abusive Events In Adult Homes Go Unreported & Unprosecuted

A recentarticle in The Seattle Times presented a sad, but realistic, glimpse into the abusive and neglectful conditions found in many adult homes in Washington. 

As people look for additional living options instead of traditional nursing homes, adult group homes (characterized as facilities that care for six or few people) theoretically provide an attractive alternative offering more flexibility and a less-expensive alternative to nursing homes.