A state investigation has found that a Denver assisted living facility took 13 minutes to locate a resident who collapsed and begin CPR — failures regulators say placed all residents in “immediate jeopardy.”
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment concluded that The Argyle assisted living facility violated multiple rules in connection with the January death of 73-year-old Robert Dutkevitch. The violations were classified at the CDPHE’s most serious level, indicating 125 Argyle residents were at immediate risk of harm, according to the agency.
The findings stem in part from the facility’s own surveillance video system, which captured the events leading up to Dutkevitch’s death. CBS Colorado obtained copies of the same videos reviewed by state investigators.
According to police reports, video footage, interviews and the state investigation, Dutkevitch — who used a wheelchair — went outside to a designated smoking patio at about 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 6. Roughly 2 minutes later, the video shows him slumping forward and falling from his wheelchair onto the ground. He remained there for about 8 minutes before another resident noticed him and alerted staff. Surveillance footage shows several staff members arriving at the patio and determining Dutkevitch had no pulse. However, investigators say staff did not begin CPR immediately, waiting approximately five additional minutes before attempting lifesaving measures…