York Spratling, 84, was at the Consulate Health Care in Jacksonville, Florida, when he contracted gangrene.
Staff failed to treat the US Army veteran, who suffered from diabetes, or help him with his personal hygiene, a Florida state review has found, News-Press has reported.
The review ruled Mr Spratling’s death was due to inadequate supervision and medical neglect.
Carers could smell the stench of his rotting flesh when they entered his room but did not document the infection or notify a doctor for five days.
Nurses at the home told the family he had refused showers.
Mr Spratling’s brother Obie said: “Everything was about to fall off, it was so rotten. It really freaked us out.”
In the year before Mr Spratling’s death the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration had cited the home three times for not having adequate staff to give patients proper levels of hygienic care.
On February 24, 2017, Mr Spratling was rushed into surgery to remove the dead tissue on his genitals.
What is gangrene?
Gangrene is a serious condition usually caused by an injury, infection or a long-term condition that affects blood circulation.
The lack of blood to the affected area causes body tissue to die.
Any part of the body can be affected but usually starts in the toes, feet, fingers and hands, according to the NHS.
Anyone can develop gangrene, especially after a serious injury but people with diabetes are particularly at risk.
The condition is usually treated with surgery to remove any damaged tissue and then antibiotics to treat the underlying infection.
In severe cases amputation of toes, fingers or even arms or legs may need to be amputated.
Derwin Spratling, York’s nephew said: “[The doctor] said he had never seen anything like that before, especially in this day and age.”
He died shortly after the surgery.
Lula Price-Brown, Mr Spratling’s sister, said: “His private area, nobody washed that. Who was taking care of this man?”
The Sun Online has contacted Consulate Health Care for comment.
Source: Read Full Article