MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

The administrator of a recently deceased woman’s estate has filed suit against the St. Clair County nursing home where he claims staff failed to adequately treat the woman, leading to her death.

Chris Swancutt alleges staff at defendant Covenant Care Midwest doing business as Cedar Ridge Health Care and Rehab Center failed to inform Sandra Swancutt’s physician when she began to show signs of physical deterioration such as vomiting and gastrointestinal disorders in December 2011.

It was not until Sandra Swancutt’s power of attorney came to visit her on Dec. 15, 2011, that he noticed her condition and immediately directed that she be transferred to Memorial Hospital in Belleville.

After Sandra Swancutt arrived at the hospital, staff there diagnosed her with a stroke and various other unspecified conditions, according to the complaint filed Sept. 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Sandra Swancutt remained at the hospital until her death on Dec. 25, 2011, the suit states.

Chris Swancutt blames nursing home staff for causing Sandra Swancutt’s death, saying they negligently failed to notify her power of attorney of her change in condition and failed to notify her physician of changes to her condition.

They also failed to provide her with adequate nutrition and hydration, failed to timely treat and monitor her urinary tract infection and failed to properly transfer her to a hospital, the complaint says.

In addition to the nursing home, the suit names one of its nurses, Stephanie Moore, and an advanced practice nurse, identified only as K. Arnold, as defendants, saying they failed to obtain an appropriate history of Sandra Swancutt, failed to timely examine her and failed to promptly request that she be transferred to a hospital.

In his complaint, Chris Swancutt is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

He will be represented by Alan G. Pirtle of Becker, Paulson, Hoerner and Thompson in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-452.