State investigators from Minnesota’s Department of Health found that an assisted living facility provided a mentally ill man with 18 shots of liquor in the 24 hours before a doctor’s appointment.
Covered Bridge Assisted Living in Holdingford, Minnesota, was deemed responsible for neglect after supplying resident Don Brambrink with a significant amount of alcohol before his appointment.
He missed his telehealth session and doctors found him "dead to the world."
How so?
"The night before the scheduled appointment, the resident was given 2 shots of alcohol at 6:54 p.m., 2 shots at 8 p.m., and 2 shots at 9:20 p.m. The morning of the appointment, staff gave the resident 2 shots at 3:55 a.m., a beer at 5 a.m., 2 shots at 5:55 a.m., 2 shots at 8:15 a.m., 2 shots at 9:15 a.m., and 2 shots at 10:55 a.m., and 2 shots at 12:30 p.m.," an investigative reportsaid.
The facility’s registered nurse reported that Brambrink consumed the alcohol while out fishing.
Seeing his condition, his primary care physician insisted that he visit the emergency room.
Brambrink’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit, and the facility defended its actions, stating they cater to “extreme alcoholics” and respect residents’ rights to make personal choices, including excessive drinking.
