The nursing home, the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, had electricity following the hurricane but experienced “prolonged power failure to the transformer which powered the facility’s air conditioning,” Jorge Carballo, the nursing home administrator, said in a statement to NBC 6.
Three patients died at the nursing home, three others were pronounced dead Wednesday morning after being transported to the hospital, and the Broward County Medical Examiner announced two more patient deaths Wednesday afternoon, according to CBS News. Police opened a criminal investigation Wednesday into the deaths.
“I am going to aggressively demand answers on how this tragic event took place,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday. “Although the details of these reported deaths are still under investigation, this situation is unfathomable. Every facility that is charged with caring for patients must take every action and precaution to keep their patients safe —especially patients that are in poor health. “
Authorities evacuated more than 100 patients from the nursing home. Many of the patients were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital. The hospital’s medical director of emergency services, Randy Katz, DO, told The New York Times most of the patients were treated for dehydration, respiratory distress and heat-related issues.
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