Nurse investigated after care worker dies at Italian nursing home

Rodica Gram, a 56-year-old care worker, died on shift at the Ida Zuzzi nursing home in San Michele al Tagliamento, near Venice, on October 18.

Before collapsing, she reportedly described discomfort in her teeth spreading to her chest and a tight feeling in her throat, symptoms prosecutors say could indicate a heart attack.

Prosecutors in Pordenone say a nurse who saw Gram may not have alerted a doctor or called Italy's 118 emergency number.

The nurse is under investigation for suspected negligent homicide, but this is an accusation, not a finding of guilt.

Gram later collapsed, and colleagues tried to revive her with CPR and a defibrillator while waiting for emergency responders, who could not save her.

An autopsy is scheduled for October 26 in Portogruaro to establish the cause of death and help determine whether any care failures contributed.

The investigation will assess whether earlier medical help could have saved her, and the family and the nurse may appoint experts to observe the examination.