Autopsy reports revealed a 93-year-old nursing home patient suffering from dementia died of a scabies infestation. She was inhabited by hundreds of millions of mites that literally ate her alive. She had blackened skin that was flaking off at the time of her death.
The patient died of septicemia caused by the scabies. Family members hired a lawyer to represent claims of wrongful death. “There was a conversation at this nursing home with a health care provider about being careful about touching [the patient]’s hand for fear that it might fall off her body,” said the family's attorney.
The state department was notified of a scabies outbreak at the facility, but no visit was made, nor was a report issued to the state department of community health as should have been. Thirty-five residents and employees were exposed at the time. For more, read the story.
