Louisiana AG launches investigation into Katrina hospital, nursing home deaths News
Louisiana AG launches investigation into Katrina hospital, nursing home deaths

[JURIST] Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti [official profile] announced Monday that six hospitals, including the state's major public hospital, Charity Hospital, and thirteen nursing homes are under investigation [JURIST report] to determine whether they mishandled evacuations, abandoned, or euthanized patients when help did not arrive quickly following Hurricane Katrina [JURIST news archive]. At least 140 elderly patients are believed to have died in nursing homes and hospitals during and after the storm. Tenet Healthcare Corporation [corporate website] issued a statement [press release] Sunday that the Attorney General had "removed certain records and other materials" from one of its New Orleans facilities and that the company intends to search all of its facilities under investigation. Last month, Louisiana filed negligent homicide charges [JURIST report] against the owners of a nursing home where 34 elderly residents died. AP has more.