Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Care-home operator Raquel Bermisa has testified her patient Chiyeko Tanouye received good treatment while under her supervision. Care-home operator
says patient who died
was 'well taken care of'By Rosemarie Bernardo
Star-Bulletin"She was well taken care of," said Bermisa in Circuit Court yesterday.
Bermisa, 41, if convicted of manslaughter in Tanouye's death, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Tanouye, 79, was one of Bermisa's patients for nearly three months at her Arch care home before she died on Aug. 10, 1999.
On the afternoon of Aug. 9, Bermisa said while she drove Tanouye and three other patients to Pearlridge Center, Tanouye suddenly slumped over toward the dashboard.
"She wasn't responding," said Bermisa, when she tried to wake up Tanouye.
Bermisa said she drove to the emergency room at Pali Momi Medical Center. Medical personnel resuscitated Tanouye, but she died the following day.
The state believes Bermisa didn't provide Tanouye proper medical care and attention for her pressure sores, or bed sores.
Bermisa first noticed Tanouye's pressure sores during the last week of June. She described the sores as small, similar to a cut.
When defense attorney William Harrison asked Bermisa if she was aware pressure sores were life-threatening, she said no.
Bermisa took Tanouye to see a physician on June 26 who prescribed medication.
During the last week of July, Bermisa said the pressure sores began to enlarge and turn grayish.
"It looked similar to a scab," she said.
Bermisa said she applied ointment on Tanouye's sores twice a day.
Also, she said, Tanouye never complained of any discomfort or pain from the pressure sores.
While Tanouye was under her care, Bermisa took her to six doctor's appointments. She testified she lost Tanouye's medical records during her first doctor's visit at Queen's Medical Center.
Bermisa's license to operate a care home was revoked in March 2000.
She received $2,500 a month to assist with Tanouye's daily care and meals, laundry, bathing and activities.
Bermisa said she would often take her patients shopping, enroll them in the Meals on Wheels program and attend Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Harrison's witness, Dr. Steven Berman, medical expert on infectious diseases, testified Tanouye's death was not caused by pressure sores.
"I believe Mrs. Tanouye had a cardiac arrest and died," he said.
State Deputy Attorney General Michael Parrish said Tanouye experienced symptoms of sepsis, such as a high fever and an increase in white blood cells while hospitalized at Pali Momi.
Berman said the symptoms that Tanouye experienced were non-specific.
"It's a very general manifestation to whatever the cause," he said.
Closing arguments were expected to begin earlier today.