PITTSBURGH, PA – A shocking mix-up occurred when a driver discovered that the individual they were delivering to the funeral home was still alive. The incident transpired after the driver collected the wrong person from Shadyside Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood.
Upon realizing the error en route to the funeral home, the driver was undoubtedly in shock.
Avoiding questions in a publicly issued statement, the center noted that it had promptly taken action by informing both the Department of Health and the person’s emergency contact. Furthermore, it ensured that necessary internal measures were being implemented to rectify the situation.
Offering insight into the process, Kirk Freyvogel, co-owner of a funeral home not connected to the incident, clarified the roles of the involved parties. Emphasizing the reliance upon medical professionals for accurate death certification before dispatching, he stated, “We are not trained in the medical procedures of checking to see if someone is deceased or alive.”
Official oversight of the transport process remains unclear as the state does not regulate it. As to whether the nursing and rehabilitation center is undergoing an investigation, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has yet to comment.