Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

New lawsuit filed over 2017 Quincy veterans’ home death

Posted in:

Illinois

* October 14, 2017…

Valdemar “Roy” Dehn, 88, of the Illinois Veterans Home, Quincy, formerly of Chicago, died Oct. 12, 2017, at Blessing Hospital.

* October 19, 2017…

Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported at an Illinois veterans’ home more than two years after an outbreak killed 12 people and sickened 54 at the facility.

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs said Wednesday that two residents at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy contracted the disease. Department spokesman Dave MacDonna said one resident died last week but officials believe the death resulted from other factors.

“Other factors”?

* Nope…

A new lawsuit alleges medical personnel mishandled testing of a dying Quincy veterans’ home resident last fall, resulting in him not being diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease until just hours before his death.

This is the second lawsuit from the family of Valdemar “Roy” Dehn, an 88-year-old Korean War veteran and ex-Chicago Tribune employee who died from Legionnaires’ last October. The first lawsuit, filed last week, was focused solely against the state of Illinois in the state’s obscure Court of Claims, where families suing the state are limited in their damages. […]

The lawsuit alleges staff at Blessing Hospital ordered Dehn be tested for Legionnaires’ disease on Oct. 8, 2017, but the test wasn’t carried out. Three days later, another doctor questioned why the test had not been completed and ordered it be done a second time, according to the lawsuit. The test result came back positive for Legionnaires’ the next day, about eight hours before Dehn died, according to the lawsuit.

The court filing alleges [Zorian Trusewych, the medical director of the Quincy veterans’ home] also failed to test Dehn, even in the months leading up to the 2017 outbreak as other residents tested positive for Legionnaires’.

So, lemme get this straight. Twelve people died during the 2015 Legionnaires’ outbreak. The facility was hit with another outbreak in 2016. And they still apparently couldn’t get it right during the third outbreak?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:21 am

Comments

Capt Fax did you forget GovJunk wants us all to believe he did everything the “experts” told him to do. And you forgot to mention the cover-ups which might still be goin’ on if you listen to the WBEZ folks

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:26 am
Sounds very Trumpian in all its glorious ineptitude.

But, as Trump warned yesterday and Orwell warned 60 years ago, do not believe what you see or read.

Two plus two really is five. Or three. Or Six.

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:32 am
The primary objectives of the executive branch on this matter have always been spin and cover-up, not public health.

They aren’t very good at those, either.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:35 am
But…Madigan…corruption…toilets…taxes.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 11:37 am
You got it right Rich!

My question is where does the buck stop, as the toilet swirls, on this one?

Comment by WhoKnew Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 12:15 pm
This is just pathetic! Both the veteran’s home and the hospital failed this man. The state in particular should have been more aware of the issue with all the other cases at the veterans home. Good Lord is this how this state treats its vulnerable citizens? Yes it does. Big Fail Governor Rauner. You should be so proud of yourself. Maybe someone should follow you on the campaign trail with a fleet of empty wheelchairs–one for each Quincy veteran who died on your watch.

Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 1:10 pm
And this post has only 5 comments so far?

This issue and the total incompetence, ineptitude, duplicity and deception demonstrated by BVR has to be front and center through the General Election.

Our Veterans deserve far better than what they have received.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 1:30 pm
Illini, I’m from a military family. This issue will be at the forefront of our voting, believe me.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:25 pm
Thank you and spread the word.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:35 pm
I don’t mean this to be snarky, but I’m afraid it might come off that way.

Given what Rauner did with the budget, I am legitimately wondering if issues with the testing were caused by failing to appropriate funds.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:38 pm
-ANON-
‘I am legitimately wondering if issues with the testing were caused by failing to appropriate funds.’

I might be totally off track here, but I’m wondering if the Budget refund to all Merit Comp employee for agencies that don’t spend all of their budgeted monies might have something to do with this type of situation.
I know we’re totally understaffed…

Comment by WhoKnew Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:51 pm
The Quincy debacle is one example of Rauner’s failed management. He can’t micromanage everything, but has to build a team that performs.

Are there any areas where he has been a management success?

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 2:54 pm
So this is how to run government like a business?

Comment by GA Watcher Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 3:30 pm
This is the best government money could buy? The man deserved better. All of them deserved better.

In their honor, vote for the best candidate.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Wednesday, Jul 25, 18 @ 7:56 pm