A Torrington nursing home has been fined $510 in the death of a patient who choked on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Inspectors with the state Department of Public Health determined that staff members at Torrington Health and Rehabilitation Center left the patient unattended in February when the resident ate the sandwich and choked, despite requirements that the patient be carefully monitored.
The Connecticut Health Investigative Team, a non-profit group of reporters, and The Hartford Courant obtained health department records in the case Monday.
The Public Health Department, which could have fined the nursing home up to $3,000, also ordered the facility to submit a plan of corrective action.
An administrator at the nursing home didn't respond to a request for comment.
The Health I-team reports that this comes after a Fairfield nursing home was sanctioned after a patient lost 43 pounds in 46 days.
The weight of the patient, whose treatment plan required dietary supplements to avoid rapid weight loss, dropped to 108 pounds.
