Diagnosis of a Tragedy

ELIZABETH WETTLAUFER’S MURDER SPREE was allowed to run unabated for nine years because of a complete breakdown in the system that’s meant to protect vulnerable people living in long-term care homes. Here, CARP highlights the most glaring breakdowns that allowed the tragedy to occur.

1 Chronic understaffing in long-term care homes At Caressant Care, Wettlaufer was responsible for looking after the medication, changing dressings, responding to emergencies and filing paperwork for 163 residents. That was far too much for one staff member and is a problem in many long-term care facilities in Canada.

2 Poor screening of LTC workers Because of the shortage of nurses, Wettlaufer continued to get jobs in the long-term care sector, despite the fact she had more than 40 incidents of medication error, treatment mistakes, poor attendance, inappropriate sexual comments and unprofessional behaviour

3 Poorly run LTC facilities A Quebec lawsuit on behalf of long-term care residents in the province listed a host of complaints, including: overuse of antipsychotic drugs on patients, patients being restrained, poor-quality food, residents forced to wear diapers even if they aren’t incontinent. These conditions create an environment where patients are disrespected, abused – even murdered.

4 Ageism in healthcare sector Repeatedly, the coroner failed to investigate suspicious deaths that occurred under Wettlaufer’s watch. Why? Because, as coroner Dr. William George said: “No death in a nursing home is unexpected.”

5 Ageism in society Over the years, Wettlaufer told 10 people about her crimes, including friends, family and her pastor. Not one of them went to the police.