A former Iowa licensed practical nurse has been sentenced to prison after failing to help a nursing home patient who died of asphyxiation, the Des Moines Register reported April 24.
What is known:
- Becky Manning, 70, was in charge of the overnight shift at Care Initiatives, a nursing facility in West Des Moines, during one night in February 2023.
- That night, an 87-year-old patient indicated that his tracheostomy tube in his neck needed to have fluids suctioned out. Ms. Manning, who was the sole nurse on duty, refused to do so after repeated requests.
- Earlier that night, she reportedly told the director of nursing that she was unwilling or unable to suction the tracheostomy tube and the nursing director told her to “watch a video and figure it out,” according to a lawsuit filed by the man’s family.
- The man died of asphyxiation.
- Ms. Manning was charged with wanton neglect of a healthcare facility resident, and she entered an Alford plea, which allowed her to maintain her innocence but acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her.
- In 2024, Ms. Manning’s nursing license was suspended during an investigation by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
- On April 21, she was sentenced to two years in prison and an $855 fine.
What’s next:
The family of the deceased patient has filed a lawsuit against Ms. Manning and the facility.
