Rochester Nurse Admits to Patient Neglect and Cover-Up

April 23, 2004
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced that a registered nurse accused of endangering five elderly patients at the Arbor Hill Living Center has pleaded guilty in the case.

Christine Dabrowski, 52, of North Chili, appeared on Wednesday before Rochester City Court Judge Thomas R. Morse and, pursuant to a negotiated plea, pleaded guilty to one count of Wilful Violation of Health Laws and two counts of Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree.

In entering the negotiated plea of guilty, Judge Morse indicated that the maximum sentence he would impose would be “shock probation” – sixty days in jail and two years and ten months of probation. Sentencing was set for June 24, 2004.

Dabrowski was arrested on February 6, 2004, on 31 criminal counts, including patient abuse and neglect, and falsifying medical records. According to the Misdemeanor Information filed in the case, while working at the Arbor Hill Living Center between February 28 and March 9, 2003, Dabrowski:

• provided medical treatment to a patient without a doctor’s authorization;
• discontinued a doctor’s order by indicating that the medication was no longer needed when, in fact, the patient was still in pain;
• administered medications to patients before their scheduled times;
• failed to provide patients with treatment or medications;
• ignored a patient’s special dietary needs;
• failed to take universal sterile precautions when treating a patient’s wound; and
• falsified patient medical charts to cover up her crimes.

Dabrowski worked as a registered nurse at Arbor Hill Living Center, located at 1175 Monroe Avenue, from September 2002 until March 11, 2003, when she was terminated as a result of these incidents.

The matter has been referred to the state Education Department’s Office of the Professions for a review of Dabrowski’s nursing license.

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