United States, Disabled Veteran, Sergeant Kericia E. Smith Faces Third Trauma of Her Life

ARLINGTON, Texas - Dec. 8, 2016 - PRLog -- Kindred Healthcare, formerly Vencor is accused of neglect, abuse and death of its patients nationwide; including, improper use of blood thinners which caused at least one resident's death.

Subsequently, countless others' lives remain at risk as suspicions rise with no record of deaths recorded since 1999 for some victims. Conversely, in this instance no record is filed with the City of Arlington or the Texas State Department of Vital Statistics.

Sergeant Kericia E. Smith stated:
I am Sergeant Kericia E. Smith. I am a disabled veteran diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD], a trauma I acquired while on active duty. I was also my best friend's primary caregiver, and is the reason why I want to tell you the story about my best friend who was admitted into Arlington Memorial Hospital for dehydration and a urinary tract infection, and who was later admitted to Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital for a bedsore. Moreover, in the process of admitting my best friend I was given admission papers to sign, but now in retrospect suspect there may have been a Mandatory Binding Arbitration Clause. Nevertheless, I was never given a copy of any document I signed. However, in that case, what I do know is that my best friend was un-necessarily medicated to the point of a medically induced coma. Thus, they did not feed him, but without authorization inserted a feeding tube, gave him steroids and two blood thinners; along with, another drug that also causes bleeding. In short, on May 16, 2016 at about 10:30 a.m., I walked into my best friend's room and found him bleeding out severely, and all day long I begged the doctors and medical staff at Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital to transfer him to Arlington Memorial Hospital Emergency Room which is right across the street—they refused. Consequently, around 8:30 p.m., my best friend who was my father was unresponsive, and to my dismay there was no defibrillator available for them to attempt life-saving measures. Hence, my beloved father, a Medicare/Medicaid patient bleed-out and died. To date, I have not been able to obtain my father's death certificate because Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital has not filed or recorded it with the City of Arlington, or, Texas Department of Vital Statistics. I would also like to mention that Kloe my service dog was God sent and has done an outstanding job and has been a tremendous help throughout this ordeal—she saved me.

A Brief Background Check for Kindred Hospital

A breakdown of a troubled and elusive past for Kindred Hospital (2001) reveals fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid since 1998 when the company was named Vencor. Further research of the company revealed that an attorney general has filed suit against the company resulting in reprimand of $125 million for False Claim Act Allegations earlier this year.

Kindred Healthcare is the nation's largest health provider with a net worth of $7 billion dollars with erroneous claims to help their patients recover fully in the best setting suitable for their specific care needs, that is, with operations across the many faces of health care; such as, hospital, skilled nursing, hospice, home care, rehabilitation, long termed care and assisted living. Hence the premise that one could fall and end in a facility listed, or as mentioned need help with a bedsore is a reality.

Further, per a November 7, 2016 report in the Dallas Morning News the rehabilitation facility in Arlington, TX will close its doors consequently laying off as many as 92 workers.

All positions will be eliminated at the facility, at 2601 W. Randol Mill Road, said Russ Bailey, vice president of operations, in a letter to sent to the Texas Workforce Commission last Wednesday. "We will try our best to transition employees to our South Arlington campus, or other opportunities within the Kindred organization, as available," Bailey said.

A Last Word from Sergeant Kericia E. Smith

Vencor/Kindred's long history of wrongdoing seems to always survive and thrive due to Medicare fraud which only adds insult to injury with the loss of my father. If these Medicare fraud cases were known to the public, then our loved ones would be less likely to be put at risk. Kindred seems to look at 'profits over patients,' and our lives are worthless because Kindred medical staff is reckless with our medical care. Additionally, any other business as unethical and abusive would have gone out of business decades ago, yet, Kindred continues to thrive on recklessly committing Medicare fraud. Why has the Department of Justice not been more aggressive at informing the public about Kindred's record of bad behavior? It is the case, that Kindred decayed decades ago from the inside out, and this should send a stench up our noses because the carcasses of our loved ones are not collateral damage and the loss of life should cry out for justice. Nevertheless, we are told 'If you see something to say something!' Consequently, I did see something, and I said something, but they did absolutely nothing! It is absolutely appalling! Kindred Rehabilitation Hospital had NO Defibrillator!

If there are families whose loved ones have been injured or harmed by Kindred Healthcare; whether, nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living, transitional care, home care, hospice and or those who have witnessed such harrowing events taking place—please tell your story or contact the Association of Veteran Women, Inc for assistance on getting your story out.


Read full story on Sergeant Kericia E. Smith's ordeal at http://www.grinddaileyissues.com