No evidence patient in Alberta long-term care home bitten by mouse: report

EDMONTON – A report commissioned by the Alberta government says there is no evidence that a mouse bit a disabled patient in a long-term care home in the face.

The group Friends of Medicare raised the allegation last month, saying staff saw mice on the face of a woman who has dementia.

The review says there were mice in the patient’s room at the St. Therese Villa in Lethbridge, but there’s no evidence to support the allegation or that the woman suffered serious bodily or emotional harm.

The investigator noted she could not interview some potential key patient witnesses due to the — quote — “degree of their cognitive impairment.”

The report recommends that Covenant Health, which operates the home, should follow through with plans to improve pest control for mice and bed bugs.

Covenant Health president Patrick Dumelie says the report shows the allegations were unfounded, but he accepts all the recommendations.