Former patient sues LMH about treatment

A former bed-ridden patient is suing Lawrence Memorial Hospital because an employee allegedly failed to remove a bed pan from beneath her.

Margaret Hill filed the lawsuit in Douglas County District Court last week requesting damages in excess of $75,000 for injuries to her backside she said she suffered from the incident.

Hill, listed in the lawsuit only as a Douglas County resident, said she was admitted July 16, 2000, to LMH’s skilled nursing facility because she had fractures to her lower body.

On July 18, 2000, Hill said, following her morning bath, an employee placed her on a bedpan designed for patients with fractures. The bedpan was not removed until about 6 p.m. that night, according the lawsuit.

Hill maintains she suffered wounds to her backside as a result of the bedpan incident and had to receive care and treatment for them later.

LMH officials said they had not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.

Consultants to lead forum, seek public input on schools

Consultants hired by the Lawrence school district meet tonight with neighborhood association leaders to talk about public school facilities.

Janet Gerstner, Oread Neighborhood Assn. board member, said the 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. meeting at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive, would give residents a second chance to express opinions to DLR Group.

DLR’s previous session for neighborhood leaders was poorly publicized and badly attended, she said.

“They assumed there was no interest,” Gerstner said. “I think it was truly an oversight.”

The Overland Park consultants have conducted two dozen community meetings to gather input.

DLR is several months away from finishing a facilities master plan for the district. That will evolve into a school construction plan and a bond-issue vote in November.