N.C. Patient Dies While Staff Plays Cards

Video Shows Man Choking On Medication While Nurses Stood Nearby; State Mental Hospital May Lose Federal Funding Over Incident

(CBS/ AP)  Investigators say a North Carolina mental patient died after nurses at a state mental hospital left him in a chair for 22 hours and failed to feed him or help him to the bathroom, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

Security video showed Steven H. Sabock, 50, as he died in April after he choked on medication at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro and a nurse stood nearby without helping, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported.

The newspaper said the death was one reason federal officials said they might cut off funds for the facility. Hospital officials have about two weeks to develop an improvement plan and try to persuade federal officials to continue providing funds.

Video showed hospital staff watching television and playing cards while Sabock was in the same room. One technician hugged and kissed another staff member and appeared to be dancing.

Investigators said in a report released Monday that Sabock, who had lived in Roanoke Rapids, sat in a busy day room during four work shifts.

When technicians couldn't get him to walk to his bed, the video showed that they stood him and slid a chair under him before sliding him down the hall to his room. A few minutes later, the video showed a cart of emergency equipment being pushed down the hall.

Sabock, who used to live in Roanoke Rapids in northeastern North Carolina, ate nothing the day he died, and very little during the three days prior, according to The News & Observer in North Carolina.

Investigators found no evidence that "the nursing staff had evaluated the patient's nutrition. The review revealed no nutritional consult was requested and revealed no evidence the physician was notified about the inadequate nutritional intake," according to the investigators' report.

Sabock's father told the newspaper he wasn't allowed to see his son after he was admitted to Cherry Hospital.

"They said he was lying down and didn't feel like talking," said Nicholas Sabock, who lives in Virginia. "They wouldn't let me see him. I think he died that day."

Susan Sabock, the patient's wife, said the state sent her a letter saying there was negligence in her husband's care.

Cherry Hospital director Jack St. Clair couldn't be reached, the newspaper said.

But a state institutional administrator said last week the hospital knew about the problem before investigators arrived and was already working to correct it. Jim Osberg said he didn't know details of the hospital's response.

Federal investigators said the hospital's own investigation showed some information in Sabock's record was falsified.

Besides Sabock's case, investigators said the hospital didn't respond properly to a teenager with developmental disabilities who was punched by a doctor after he bit the physician.

[mckendrin]

Now you''re in the public comment zone. What follows is not CBS News stuff; it comes from other people and we don''t vouch for it. //
I cannot even comment as I''m too stymied that the above is used on an alleged professional news site. Are we all going to write like incompetent neanderthals now?

However, "God Bless Amerika"(sic) is hardly an appropriate sentiment for the above story. Your "Amerika" is also the reason this incident will be addressed and punishment dispensed.

[deacon20081]

How do they CORRECT allowing a patient to die right in front of them? This hospital should be closed down and the staff prosecuted for manslaughter.

[jlagat]

"The report said Sabock ate nothing on the day he died and had little food for three days before his death on April 29."

Another great example of the BS known as Southern Hospitality.

[zorar-2009]

were they playing Texas holdem

[football1152]

"Jerryomara" you are one sick person who blames his government or country for all that is wrong with this world. I would say if you turn your life over to Christ and worry about the people who dont know him,you will have a different outlook on life and the world you live in.I will pray right now for you.

[rudy654-2009]

Best health care system in the world! Right? Hello? Right? Chirp Chirp Chirp

[minimoossee]

This is so horrible - how could anyone stand by or SIT in this case (dance, play cards etc) while someone is starving and dying in front of you. The law should shut the place down, prosecute all involved for manslaughter. Involuntary doesn''t fit here because they were all in his presence and did nothing to help him. The wife/family should sue the *** out of the administration, hospital and those employees and the state needs to revoke the licenses and make sure none of them ever work again in this type of environment AND if they can not work then too bad for something stupid you did and ignored a needy person you do not get any state/federal help - stand on the street and beg... such low life are these culprits....
God bless his soul and may the higher forces in due time payback...

[payasyougo]

"Hospital officials have about two weeks to develop an improvement plan..."
----
There is no doubt that the hospital had sufficient plans and staffing in place. The problem is just getting any of those government funded employees to actually do their job (instead of playing cards).

Nobody deserves to die like that, even if they don''t realize what is happening to them.

Regards.

Democrats: Making the rich pay your fair share.

[irliberal]

I wonder if this and the article on Divive Intervention are connected in any way?

Perhaps the GOP is getting ready to unveil its Universal Health Care Plan?

HMO by God.


Posted by Nancy_Naive at 02:20 PM

Scary stuff, Nancy.

[thatgirl210]

There are some very disturbed people in this world... A lot of them post to this very site. What''s the purpose of "dogging" someone for their beliefs? If someone wants to pray, who are you or anyone else to argue that, and call that person names and what they believe names? You don''t hear other people dogging your beliefs... Keep the harsh comments to yourself. How about we talk about the poor person who had to suffer because of negligence, and how we as a society can help change how things are done? This poor man suffered while in a facility that is getting our government funding. That shouldn''t be the case, and something needs to change.

[dgal878]

Wow, it never ceases to amaze me how truly mean spirited Christian haters can be. We know what force is controlling their lives:-/

[toots1941]

This is so sad, and inhumane, how could anyone ignore the needs of this man.
They should all be fired, then sued, and never be able to work anywhere. The hospital closed and imploded!!!
For the idiot that made the remark, what''s the big deal about this lesser of humans. What goes around, comes around, maybe the next lesser of humans will be your Mom, Dad, or child. If anyone is a lesser human it is you, you scumbag!

[republic1776]

Makes you wonder, if the whole building was full of mental patients including the Staff!

[jerr11]

how truly mean spirited Christian haters can be. We know what force is controlling their lives:-/

Posted by dgal878 at 03:06 PM : Aug 19, 2008



It''s Satan, and it''s not hate. It''s GREED.

4142 Dead Americans in Iraq because of a war based on 935 lies for Halliburton.

That''s the work of Satan.

George W Bush - Son of Satan

Damned for all time!

[850Rick]

jerryomara
You''re a sick person. Those workers in that hospital need to be immediately terminated and charged with murder.

It is so wrong what they did.

[myopinion381]

Because it''''s an OPINION post site for comments, and Posted by SoVerySmart at 03:14 PM: THAT''''S my opinion. Just like a "christian" to sit around a spew your heinous and hateful intolerant garbage while telling someone else to shut up about hating that. What I think is that "christians" are major hypocrites and FRAUDS full of hate and resentment for anyone who isn''''t just like them.

WELL PUT!!!

[thatgirl210]

Because it''''s an OPINION post site for comments, and THAT''''S my opinion. Just like a "christian" to sit around a spew your heinous and hateful intolerant garbage while telling someone else to shut up about hating that. What I think is that "christians" are major hypocrites and FRAUDS full of hate and resentment for anyone who isn''''t just like them.


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Posted by SoVerySmart at 03:14 PM : Aug 19, 2008
+ report abuse

Alrighty then. You do just that and continue showing your ignorance. You obviously have issues that you need to deal with. Nuff said, I''m not going to entertain you or waste my time with your remarks. Just like you, I have my opinion, and bashing someone for their belief is silly, and downright stupid. But do you, that seems to make you happy.

For everyone else that is remarking to the issue at hand, and no time to down people for their opinions... yes it is sad that this is going on, and those people need to be terminated from their job immediatly, and if they do continue to get funding, they need to be under completely new management and rules.

[c0mm0n_sense]

I find it very interesting, how George Bush is blamed for anything bad that happens in the world. It''s too bad he''s leaving, who will you blame when Obama is elected? Oh, that''s right, you will still blame George Bush - Very convenient...At least you don''t have to worry about resolving problems. You already know the reason! :) ...Isn''t it great to be an American

[poldon72]

Wow! gop_forever, I''m completely shocked at your lack of compassion. Suppose it was your family member who was dependent on the care of others. I''m sure you would be the first to point out inhumanity of it all.

To the family of this poor man, I extend my condolences. I hope that Steven is in a better place full of beings who love and care for him.

[beader59]

First off, why do religious people make everything into it is about them and their religion. Who cares? This is about the neglect of a patient and it doesn''t matter what religion anyone is. It is now a legal matter and they will face a judge and jury hopefully. If you want to believe otherwise, so be it, but why do we have to hear about it. I feel sorry for the family and friends of this gentleman, not to mention the patient himself. I just hope he didn''t suffer.

[lily1972]

i smell a HUGE lawsuit

[barbaraf4]

I imagine NC isn''t the only state offering substandard care for mental patients. You never hear about or think about these pitiful creatures until a story like this comes out. The problem with losing federal or state funding is that the hospitals will close and these people will be turned out onto the streets. This is a lose - lose situation.

[myopinion381]

Federal investigators said the hospital''s own investigation showed some information in Susan Sabock''s (Steven''s wife) record was falsified.

Does that make it okay that the staff did nothing to prevent this man''s death?

[realpatriot1]

Wow! So much hate with so little to do with the subject.

This wasn''t the fault of Bush or Christians, or even the fault of Hospital management. This was the fault of people in the wrong profession.

We have a serious shortage of nurses. Those we do have work long shifts and lose their edge. Because they''re so much in demand, some apparently come to the conclusion that they don''t have to do their jobs and some don''t have the necessary compassion for their patients.

Blame doesn''t solve the problem. Improved workforce development might.

[Marie Zarankevich]

The medical profession has be descending the ladder of forgiveability ever since the federal government bestowed immunity from prosecution upon them. -- I was present during a malpractice case when a doctor CASUALLY admitted she was completely negligent in her care of a pregnant woman. -- She said it like it was unimportant, trivial. -- Then the judge told us that the doctor cannot be held liable for negligence unless there was INTENT TO HARM THE PERSON. -- So, medical people no longer give a sh** if they are negligent, as long as they get paid. -- Because they no longer have to answer for it, or pay for it. -- The nursing staff takes its cue from the doctors, so they share the same values. -- This is the main reason that our medical systems are getting so $crewed up. -- And the courts back it up. -- Some System, Huh?

[thatgirl210]

Wow! So much hate with so little to do with the subject.

This wasn''''t the fault of Bush or Christians, or even the fault of Hospital management. This was the fault of people in the wrong profession.

We have a serious shortage of nurses. Those we do have work long shifts and lose their edge. Because they''''re so much in demand, some apparently come to the conclusion that they don''''t have to do their jobs and some don''''t have the necessary compassion for their patients.

Blame doesn''''t solve the problem. Improved workforce development might.


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Posted by realpatriot1 at 03:31 PM : Aug 19, 2008
+ report abuse

Nicely said real! Thank you, lets stick to the matter at hand.
These workers, like stated, obviously do not have the heart to be in this position. And there are a shortage of nurses. I can say where I''m at that for the amount of patients one doctor has, there are only one or two nurses taking care of the duties. (this coming from a friend who is a nurse). A lot of work for a couple of people. They get burnt out a lot quicker.

[blondbiotch]

THATGIRL210 3:20 DON''T EVEN BOTHER WITH THAT KNOW IT ALL---HER NAME SAYS IT ALL!! SHE''S ONE OF THOSE "SMART" LIBS!!

[thatgirl210]

THATGIRL210 3:20 DON''''T EVEN BOTHER WITH THAT KNOW IT ALL---HER NAME SAYS IT ALL!! SHE''''S ONE OF THOSE "SMART" LIBS!!


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Posted by blondbiotch at 03:43 PM : Aug 19, 2008
+ report abuse

Shows you don''t know how to read people LOL! Alright then! I don''t know it all, and never once said or implied I did. I''m commenting on the story as everyone else is.

[thatgirl210]

thatgirl210---yes, but you are stupid, according to them if you don''''t beleive as they do!!! Looney Libs!!! Noone is supposed to have a different opinion than them---CRAZZZZY PEOPLE!!!


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Posted by blondbiotch at 03:49 PM : Aug 19, 2008
+ report abuse

What the ?? are you talking about? Who said I was or have anything to do with Libbs and what they do or do not believe? Sounds like I''m not the stupid one here...
Again, not going to waste my time on people who have nothing better to do than come online looking to bash people.

[blondbiotch]

OH GOD!!! Another LIB know it all, ZOE is here!!!!

[eggy1620]

What needs to change are not policies and procedures in these institutions. But the institutions need to be shut down and the government funding redirected to the patients%u2019 families to care for them in their own homes. Lack of financial resources for family caregiving is why these patients are locked away in the first place.

[blondbiotch]

thatgirl--I"M TALKING ABOUT "SO VERY SMART TALKING DOWN TO YOU" I"M NOT TALKING ABOUT "YOU"!!!!

[thatgirl210]

thatgirl--I"M TALKING ABOUT "SO VERY SMART TALKING DOWN TO YOU" I"M NOT TALKING ABOUT "YOU"!!!!


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Posted by blondbiotch at 03:54 PM : Aug 19, 2008
+ report abuse

I was beginning to wonder, like dang! What did I do but comment on the subject at hand! "Can''t we all just get along?" LMAO!

[blondbiotch]

thatgirl----read the post before you jump to conclutions!!

[blondbiotch]

zoe---LOL And there are no corrup DEMS, huh? You''re the one who sounds stupid and CRAZZZZY!!!

[donnie10007]

I think its funny how the media will pick and choose its stories based on what it wants to be politics.

[blondbiotch]

thatgirl---haven''t you figured out yet that there is no way to get along with LIBS on this site? They are idiots!!

[donnie10007]

I call these stories ''paris hilton'' stories.. because its a whole world of issues to be had, and only a few that the guy with bonnner wants people to read.

[scottyusa]

This makes one wonder how these people got into the profession in the first place. Either the security camera was hidden or this is one ignorant group of subhumans. They should be sterilized and taken out of the gene pool.

[donnie10007]

And they want us to believe that Iraq was fully justified.. ''picking and choosing'' what they want people to read.

[donnie10007]

The difference between a democrat and a republican is that a democrat holds people''s intelligence to a higher standard.

[scottyusa]

blondbiotch
zoe---LOL And there are no corrup DEMS, huh? You''''''''re the one who sounds stupid and CRAZZZZY!!!

Name 1 Dem in jail for corruption. NONE! Reagan should have been impeached for Iran-Contra, also, "Bedtime for Bonzo" was real bad.


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Posted by zoe2006

I must have missed something in the article. Were the nurses democrats? The patient? What?

[donnie10007]

Lots of things happen in hospitals. You want to talk about hospitals? Lots of things happen in hospitals. Lots of things happen everywhere. Why don''t we talk instead about 20 dollar 6 packs being sold the troops? And electrified showers because of substandard nepetism in military contracts? Why don''t we talk about stuff like that? Instead of this.. racially implied bullshyyyt.

[sistatee-2009]

Ya gotta play the cards you''re dealt.

[mydiatribe]

This doesn''t sound like an accident to me, more like an ''on purpose''!

[missingamerica]

The difference between a democrat and a republican is that a democrat holds people''s intelligence to a higher standard.

Posted by donnie10007 at 04:04 PM : Aug 19, 2008

I beg to differ.

The primary difference between a Republican and a Democrat, at least as far as my observations to date lead me to believe, is that a Republican''s morality is defined by how much money is in it for them.

Democrats seem to be more capable maintaining their morality even when money is involved.

Take, for instance, Phil Gramm (of "you are a bunch of whiners" fame)...all morally outraged at just about anything, but to quote "The Nation" he "was an avidly active investor in soft-core pornography movies"...(http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters/336933)...

[louklou51]

The medical staff that "cared" for this man should all be fired, all funding pulled, everyone else transferred to other facilities, and the building torn down. No, that would be too easy, subject the people who neglected this patient to the same treatment and hope they get the same result, may they all burn in hell.

[remarkor]

The problem is the usual healthcare problem. They don''t have enough money to hire quality people, so they get these losers that have no work ethic. Then this happens and the feds take money away and the victims sue and now there''s less money and they hire even bigger losers. As long as money rules healthcare, healthcare will pander to money, not people.

[dagrandma]

Not that it has anything to do with this article, but the difference between a Democrat and a Republican is this. A Democrat has the (sometimes unfortunate) ability to see multiple sides to every issue. A Republican sees only one side and claims everyone else who doesn''t see just that one side is a dumb a**.

[missingamerica]

Being blacks, they were probably democrats.

Posted by hungrymama at 04:21 PM : Aug 19, 2008

Seeing you say stuff like that makes me wonder: How much do your Klan dues run you, these days?