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Any spread of infection in a nursing facility could jeopardize every resident’s health and compromise their existing medical condition. Because of that, the nursing staff is required to follow established procedures and protocols that minimize a patient’s exposure to contaminants, bacteria, viruses and infections including MRSA and Clostridium difficile.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provide legal representation, advice, and counsel to residents of Illinois skilled acute nursing facilities like Alton Memorial Hospital who have suffered serious harm, mistreatment or premature death due to the negligent actions of caregivers.
Alton Memorial Hospital Transitional Care Unit
Alton Memorial Hospital TCU is a 28-certified-bed ‘Not for Profit’ Medicare/Medicaid-accepted facility providing nursing services to residents of Alton and Madison County, Illinois. The St. Louis-area center is located at:
One Memorial Dr.
Alton, IL 62002
(618) 463-7140
The traditional care unit at Alton Memorial Hospital provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation care for patients requiring an acute stay for rehabilitation. The skilled nursing services are provided by registered nurses and certified nursing assistants on daily rounds and assessments to inform the patient’s physician daily.
Alton Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
Families can research Medicare.gov for a complete list of all safety concerns, filed complaints, opened investigations and health violations that is routinely updated by the state of Illinois and the federal government.
Currently, Alton Memorial Hospital TCU maintains an overall three out of five available star rating in the national Medicare comparison analysis star rating summary system. This includes five out of five stars for staffing concerns, three out of five stars for health inspections and one out of five stars for quality measures. The Alton nursing home neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have found serious deficiencies and safety concerns at this facility that include:
- Failure to Ensure Residents at the Facility Do Not Develop a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 01/29/2016, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure to "provide complete catheter care [for a resident] reviewed for catheter care.” The findings by the state investigator revealed that on the afternoon of 01/26/2016, two Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) were providing catheter care to a resident. One CNA “put warm water into a basin and began providing catheter care using a warm washcloth. No soap was used. After perineal care, [both Certified Nursing Assistants] did not dry the perineal area.
The state investigator noted the facility’s failure to follow their undated Policy and Procedure for Catheter Care, Urinary that reads in part:
“The following equipment and supplies will be necessary to perform this procedure: … Washbasin… Soap and water… Washcloth… Towel… Bed protector and… Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] (e.g. gowns, gloves, mask, etc. as needed).”
“Wash the resident’s genitalia and perineum thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse the area well and towel dry.”
- Failure to Prevent the Spread of Infection throughout the Facility
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 01/29/2016, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure to "sanitize blood glucose monitoring devices between residents.” The deficient practice by the nursing staff at Alton Memorial Hospital TCU directly affected eight residents at the facility “reviewed for infection control.”
One failure involved an observation of a resident on 01/26/2016 as a part of routine medication administration. At that time, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) was observed “checking blood glucose levels at 11:40 AM. The glucometer was sitting on top of the medication cart for the 200 Hallway.” At that time, the LPN “took the multi-use glucometer into [a resident’s] room, checked his blood sugar and returned, placing the glucometer directly on the medication cart.”
Fifteen minutes later, the LPN “picked up the glucometer without cleaning the glucometer and check the blood glucose level for [another resident]. The glucometer was again placed directly on the cart without cleaning it.” At noon, the LPN check a third resident’s “blood sugar. No cleaning of the glucometer was completed before [the LPN] went on to check [a fourth resident’s] blood glucose level with the same glucometer.”
The state investigator conducted an interview with the Licensed Practical Nurse in the afternoon of 01/26/2016 who confirmed: “that she did not clean the glucometer before, during or after the glucose levels were checked on [four residents].” An interview was also conducted two days later on the afternoon of 01/28/2016 with the facility’s Director of Nursing who provided a list of eight residents currently having blood glucose checked using glucometer devices in the 200 wing. The investigator noted that the facility did not have a policy “unclean the glucometer.”
Alton Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If your loved one has suffered serious harm as a patient of Alton Memorial Hospital in their Transitional Care Unit, give the Illinois elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers a call it (888) 424-5757. Our Illinois nursing home abuse attorneys can provide legal assistance in obtaining the financial compensation your family deserves for your loved one’s damages.
Our Madison County nursing home law offices accept all nursing home neglect, mistreatment, and abuse cases through contingency fee arrangements. This means you will receive immediate legal representation without any upfront payment or retainer. We receive payment for our legal services only after we negotiate your out-of-court settlement or win your case at trial.
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6002778FIAK01292016.PDF
http://www.altonmemorialhospital.org/Medical-Services/Senior-Care/Transitional-Care-Unit
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6002778FIAK01292016.PDF
