March 22, 2007

            LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox announced that Parkridge Associates, formerly Northland Nursing Center, and Kathryn Gillis, R.N., the former Director of Nursing at the nursing home, have been sentenced by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Robert Colombo in the 2001 heat-related deaths of four patients at the nursing home.  Gillis previously pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of 2^nd degree vulnerable adult abuse.  The nursing home previously plead guilty to four counts of vulnerable adult abuse in the 2^nd degree. 

            Parkridge Associates was sentenced on February 6, 2007, and barred from ever engaging in the nursing home business again. Gillis was sentenced February 28, 2007 to 5-years probation, 167 hours of community service and up to 12 months in jail at the Court's discretion should she violate any term of probation.  She was also required to surrender her nursing license and to pay court costs.

            "I will vigorously defend Michigan's seniors from anyone who aims to harm them," said Cox.  "And I will not tolerate when those who should be enjoying their golden years are put in danger or harmed by the reckless actions of individuals."

            Parkridge Associates; Kathryn Gillis, 56, and Patrick Charles, M.D., 55, Parkridge Associates' Medical Director/co-owner were charged by Attorney General Cox with one felony count of Involuntary Manslaughter, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and/or a $7,500 fine, and four felony counts of Vulnerable Adult Abuse-2nd degree, which carries four years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. 

            Charges of Involuntary Manslaughter against the Detroit nursing home, its medical director/co-owner, and director of nursing were originally filed on April 21, 2003, following an investigation into the heat-related death of a 78-year-old tube-feed female resident.  On February 9, 2005, four additional charges of Vulnerable Adult Abuse-2nd Degree were filed against the three Defendants. 

            The case presented by the Attorney General's Health Care Fraud Division alleged that in June 2001, Defendants failed to ensure the residents' safety in hazardous temperature levels, failed to adequately monitor and assess the condition of residents, failed to initiate evacuation procedures, and allowed internal body temperatures of some residents to escalate as high as 107°. 

            The investigation revealed that the facility's air conditioning system was not functioning, the facility's windows did not open, and there was a lack of fans for residents to use when temperatures in Detroit reached 87º F on June 13, 89º F on June 14, and 90º F on June 15, 2001.  On June 14, 2001, several of the nursing home's seriously ill residents identified as being "at risk for dehydration" began experiencing life-threatening problems as a result of the high temperatures.  One resident who was found unconscious with no vital signs and a temperature of 107º F was prescribed Tylenol® and transferred to the hospital.  The medical examiner concluded that the death was caused by prolonged exposure to excessive heat.  As Director of Nursing, Kathryn Gillis was responsible for the proper care and assessment of the patients.  Three other vulnerable patients were transferred to the hospital for serious heat-related conditions. 

            Earlier this month, Dr. Charles, the former medical director/co-owner of the nursing home, was found not guilty of the charges by a Wayne County jury. 

            To report Medicaid provider fraud or patient abuse in a resident care facility, call the Attorney General's 24-hour Hotline at (800 24-ABUSE [800-242-2873]); e-mail hcf@michigan.gov; or visit our Web site at www.michigan.gov/ag.

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