Medication dilution at Päivärinne care home leads to police preliminary inquiry in Hämeenlinna
Police have launched a preliminary inquiry into irregularities in medication care at Päivärinne care home in Hämeenlinna. A crime report was filed based on reporting by Yle.
Police investigate medication care failures at Hämeenlinna care home
Häme police have launched a preliminary inquiry into Päivärinne care home in Hämeenlinna, Yle Uutiset reported. A crime report was filed based on a story published by Yle at the end of May, which revealed serious problems in the operations of Yrjö and Hanna care home.
Investigation leader Marko Mäkinen confirms that the matter is currently in the preliminary inquiry stage. Based on the preliminary inquiry, police will decide whether to launch a full preliminary investigation. No one is suspected of any crime at this stage, and the inquiry may also conclude without further action.
The crime report requests clarification of possible failures that occurred at the care home. The most serious problems have concerned medication care, elderly residents' access to assistance, and end-of-life care.
The Kanta-Häme wellbeing region placed Päivärinne under enhanced supervision in March. Inspection reports reviewed by Yle from 2022–2026 show that problems persisted despite multiple supervisory visits. Two care home employees told Yle that a supervisor forbade them from reporting irregularities to the supervising authority.
Sari Laakso, chief executive of Yrjö and Hanna care services, who started in her position in 2023, has issued a video apology to carers who have felt they cannot report irregularities further. According to Laakso, the situation became clear to her during a surprise inspection, and improvements have been made at the care home in recent months: employees' medication credentials have been reviewed, training plans have been drawn up, daily activities have been arranged for residents, and the adequate language proficiency of employees from immigrant backgrounds has been ensured.
Yle has previously reported on a criminal investigation at Elämäntaival care home in Riihimäki, where police are investigating a report made by the Kanta-Häme wellbeing region as drug trafficking and theft. Oma Häme has also placed Elämäntaival under closer supervision and appointed a new local manager for it.
Source: Yle Uutiset