Negligent care at a Winchester nursing home allegedly led to the death of an 87-year-old resident last fall, according to a suit filed yesterday in Clark Circuit Court.

Eva Paynter, who lived at the Winchester Centre for Health and Rehabilitation from Jan. 24 to Nov. 11, died Nov. 14 from sepsis, an infection in the bloodstream, which was caused by renal failure, according to her death certificate.

A report and memorandum by the state agency that investigates elder abuse says Paynter also had an excoriation, a painful skin condition similar to a diaper rash, all over her buttocks.

"Even as this skin progressively deteriorated with obvious discomfort to the resident, Mrs. Paynter was allowed to remain in briefs throughout the day without light and air to the area to promote healing," a registered nurse employed by the Department for Community Based Services wrote.

The memo said the evidence indicated "systemic caretaker neglect" on the part of the facility.

Named as defendants in the suit are the 187-bed nursing home; its administrator, Brent Godbey; and its parent, Kindred Nursing Centers Limited Partnership.

Louisville-based Kindred declined to comment on the suit, but said in a written statement that "we will continue to strive to provide the quality of care the citizens of Winchester deserve and expect. " Godbey declined to comment.

Rankin Paynter, who filed the suit as executor of his mother's estate, said he visited his mother almost daily, but did not find out about her condition until she was sent to the hospital several days before her death.

"I was shocked," he said. "It was the most horrible thing that you could look at. "

Paynter said the nurses at Clark Regional Medical Center told him it was "the worst (they'd) ever seen. " At their suggestion, he had photographs taken of his mother's body.

Lauren J. Stone, a nurse practitioner who is providing consulting services for Paynter's family, said it appears that her catheter was not properly cared for, which contributed to infections that ultimately poisoned her blood.

In May, state officials closed another Kindred facility, Lexington Center for Health and Rehabilitation, because of poor care there. The company reached an agreement with the Cabinet for Health Services that will allow it to reopen the home with 5 to 15 residents once it meets certain conditions.