Western State Hospital patient dies after choking
LAKEWOOD, Wash. (AP) - A Washington state spokeswoman says a 53-year-old Western State Hospital patient has died after choking during a meal at the psychiatric hospital.
Social and Health Services spokeswoman Jennifer Gau said Monday that the unidentified patient died Saturday night at a local hospital after life support was removed in consultation with the patient's guardian.
The patient choked during Thursday night dinner at Western State. Gau says hospital staffers provided first aid and called 911. The patient never regained consciousness.
The spokeswoman declined to release the name or gender of the patient.
The hospital will conduct a review of the death.
Social and Health Services spokeswoman Jennifer Gau said Monday that the unidentified patient died Saturday night at a local hospital after life support was removed in consultation with the patient's guardian.
The patient choked during Thursday night dinner at Western State. Gau says hospital staffers provided first aid and called 911. The patient never regained consciousness.
The spokeswoman declined to release the name or gender of the patient.
The hospital will conduct a review of the death.
I feel badly for whoever it was. Â That would be such a scary way to die. Â
I hope a full investigation is done. I'm very curious how long it took them to notice someone was choking, and if this happened in "diningroom" or in a private room (if they are allowed to eat in their rooms). I hated when residents ate in their rooms while working in nursing homes, I was always afraid someone would choke.Â
 @MomOf2 I was wondering if this person was being force fed or not; they can legally force feed someone who refuses to eat.Â
I agree, I hope a full investigation is made.
How long was the person choking before aid was administered?
 @Tattooed_Angel Long enough to die........
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 @Wickedwitch That's totally abusive and uncalled for.
 @Wickedwitch Agreed, just rude. Also completely uncaring. You have NO idea what the circumstances of that person's path that caused them to be there. The second 'w' in your profile name should be replaced with a 'b'.
 @Wickedwitch Wow,how rude. Hope this never happens to your family.