TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A Tucson nursing home has been fined $500 for leaving a wheelchair-bound patient outside in 102-degree heat for more than an hour, leading to his death.
Sabino Canyon Rehabilitation & Care Center agreed to pay the fine for inadequately supervising 67-year-old Joe K. Oliver on June 18.
The amount of the fine is the maximum allowed for a single violation of state rules and regulations on a single day under a formula set by the Arizona Legislature.
Authorities say Oliver's core temperature was 107 degrees when he arrived at the hospital.
The Arizona Daily Star (http://bit.ly/P03EFJ) says Oliver was removed from life support on June 19. An autopsy report showed that he died of excessive heat.
Oliver's family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the nursing home.
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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com
