Officials at an Alberta assisted-living facility are refuting claims that an elderly dementia patient was bitten by a mouse; rather, they say the woman’s facial wounds were the result of a viral condition.
Covenant Health, the organization that runs St. Therese Villa in Lethbridge, Alta., says officials spoke with staff at the long-term care home, reviewed documentation and consulted a doctor about the allegations brought forward by an Alberta health advocacy group earlier this week.
On Monday, the group Friends of Medicare claimed a staff member at St. Therese Villa found the woman with mice nibbling on her face, prompting an investigation by the province’s health ministry.
However, Covenant Health said it’s confident that the resident was not bitten by a mouse.
“While a mouse was sighted in the room, there is no evidence, documentation or verbal confirmation that a mouse was ever sighted near the resident,” according to a statement released by Covenant House on Tuesday.
Covenant House said a doctor who examined the patient said the wounds on the woman’s face are consistent with a viral condition.
Covenant House CEO Patrick Dumelie said Tuesday that the facility is working with Alberta Health Services to deal with any environmental concerns, and staff is cleaning certain areas of the home thoroughly.
Dumelie added that pest control measures at St. Therese Villa have been augmented.
"We can understand how the public would be alarmed at a story like the one that was circulated yesterday," he said. "We are also concerned for the distress these allegations have caused our families and residents and our staff who provide incredible care."
Friends of Medicare stand by allegations
But Wednesday, Friends of Medicare said they stand by the allegations.
The group also alleged that staff at St. Therese Villa raised a number of concerns about mice and bed bug infestations over the last year.
A spokesperson for the group said she is looking forward to an independent review of St. Therese Villa that was ordered by Health Minister Fred Horne in light of the allegations.
Horne said Tuesday he was worried that staff concerns at St. Therese Villa staff may not have been heard by management.
"My hope is that by ordering this investigation it will make it clear to everyone that we want the information, that people are free to tell their story, that they actually be encouraged to bring their concerns forward," Horne said.
A former St. Therese Villa employee said she’s happy the Alberta government has launched an investigation into the facility.
“It should have been done a long time ago,” Annie Schultz told CTV Calgary.
Schultz said staff complaints at St. Therese Villa were rarely dealt with.
“We do our job, we do the best we can, and complaining is not helping,” she said. “So we just keep doing our job and hope it makes a change.”
With files from CTV Calgary and The Canadian Press
