The Minnesota Department of Health has concluded that an assisted living center was responsible for neglect after supplying a resident with a substantial amount of alcohol before a doctor's appointment.
According to an investigative report, Covered Bridge Assisted Living in Holdingford gave resident Don Brambrink 18 shots of liquor in the 24 hours before his scheduled telehealth appointment.
Authorities were alerted when Brambrink missed his appointment after drinking too much while fishing. The facility's registered nurse (RN) reported that Brambrink was "dead to the world" after drinking, according to the report.
The night before the appointment, Brambrink was given multiple shots of alcohol, including two at 6:54 p.m., two at 8 p.m., and two at 9:20 p.m. The morning of the appointment, staff gave him additional shots, a beer, and other forms of alcohol throughout the day.
Brambrink's primary care physician requested that he be sent to an emergency room, but he refused, telling hospital staff that he "would rather go home and continue to drink," the report stated.
Brambrink's blood alcohol level was at 0.23%, almost three times the legal limit of 0.08%. The assisted care resident had numerous mental health diagnoses, including psychoactive substance abuse and anxiety.
The facility had a written "alcohol plan" for Brambrink that stipulated he gets two shots per hour because he was "trying to drown out the voices," the report stated.
The facility's owner, Trista Barstow, defended her business's actions, arguing that the center is one of the few that will take in individuals with severe alcohol addiction. Barstow stated that the facility's policies and care planning reflect a commitment to resident rights and safety.
The facility intends to appeal the cited deficiency, arguing that they provided individualized care and monitored Brambrink's condition. They emphasized that residents have the right to make lawful personal choices, including decisions about consuming alcohol.
