Title: Pleasant Hill Nursing Home Grapples with Water Contamination Scare
In a shocking turn of events, Parkridge Specialty Care, a nursing home in Pleasant Hill, has recently dealt with a water contamination issue that resulted in a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease. As a precautionary measure, the facility temporarily ceased using tap water, although it has now begun the process of transitioning back to regular water usage, while still offering bottled water to residents.
The ordeal came to light when Heather Ryan, whose mother, Mary Ryan, was admitted to Parkridge on December 7th, received a concerning call from the facility about a water emergency. Heather had just visited her mother that morning and was aware that she had been consuming the tap water. Tragically, Mary Ryan suffered a massive stroke the next day and passed away.
Medical professionals have claimed that Mary Ryan’s death was unrelated to the water contamination; however, Heather Ryan remains skeptical, noting the coincidental timing of her mother’s health decline and the water crisis. After her mother’s passing, Ryan stumbled upon a note in her mother’s restroom cautioning against using tap water. Regrettably, it was too late as Mary had already consumed it.
Parkridge Specialty Care is owned by Care Initiatives, which has confirmed only one case of Legionnaires’ disease thus far, yet the cause of the contamination remains unknown. Care Initiatives has pledged to continue providing bottled water to residents until the state health department approves the resumption of regular water usage.
In light of these recent events, KCCI reached out to both the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals for additional information. Their insight and expertise are expected to shed light on the underlying causes of the contamination.
As the investigation unfolds, the Pleasant Hill community remains on high alert, with residents and their families rightfully concerned about the safety of their loved ones. Parkridge Specialty Care and its parent company, Care Initiatives, face mounting pressure to take immediate action and implement measures to prevent any future occurrences of water contamination.
Acknowledging the immense responsibility they bear for protecting the health and wellbeing of their residents, Parkridge Specialty Care, alongside Care Initiatives, reassures the community that they are fully committed to resolving this issue promptly and ensuring the safety of all their residents.
(Note: This article has been written based on available information and does not imply any conclusive link between the water contamination and Mary Ryan’s passing.)
