The susceptibility of contracting a contagious disease through the spread of infection is heightened when residing in Illinois community living facilities due to the proximity and shared environment in the Home. Highly contagious infections can seriously jeopardize the health and well-being of otherwise healthy residents. Unfortunately, not all long-term care centers, skilled bed facilities, and community living homes provide adequate training to their nursing staff, therapists, and caregivers, which is often detrimental to the health and well-being of their patients. The abuse and neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC provide legal advice, counsel, and representation to individuals who have received substandard care while residing at Illinois community living facilities like Children’s Habilitation Center.
Children’s Habilitation Center
This Center is a 67-certified-bed Community Living Facility (CLF) providing services to residents of Harvey and Cook County, Illinois. The ‘for profit’ Home is located at:
121 West 154th Street
Harvey, Illinois 60426
708-596-2220
This CLF Home provides compassionate nursing services, physical, occupational and respiratory therapies, and nutrition services.
Harvey CLF Home Resident Safety Concerns
To be fully informed on the level of care nursing homes provide, families routinely research the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH – ltc.dph.illinois.gov) database system for a complete list of filed complaints, safety concerns, incident inquiries, health violations and opened investigations. This information provides valuable content to make a well-informed decision of where to place a loved one who requires the highest level of health care and hygiene assistance.
The Cook County abuse and neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have viewed deficiencies and safety concerns at this long-term care facility that include:
Failure to Follow Procedures and Protocols That Prevent the Spread of Infection in the Facility
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 09/14/2016, the state investigator noted during an inspection of care survey that the minimal standards of care were not met when providing services to residents. It was noted that the facility failed to “ensure staff demonstrates skills and techniques [involving] infection control to prevent the spread of infection. This serious deficient practice impacted four [residents] and had the potential to impact 60 [residents in the facility].”
The state investigator reviewed the list of individuals “currently on isolation submitted by the facility.” This includes Room 110 where a resident is being provided cares and services to treat Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) and in Room 104 where a resident Is being treated for Ringworm and Enteral Virus.
Observations were made at 8:42 AM on 09/08/2016 one a Respiratory Therapist “entered room 108, opened a tracheotomy suctioning kit, apply gloves and proceeded to suction [the resident] without washing his hands first.” The therapist then “completed suction, removed gloves and left the room without hand washing [after the] procedure.”
The same Respiratory Therapist was observed entering Room 110 immediately after leaving Room 108 “and began checking the tracheotomy humidifier tubing of [the resident] with his hands without hand washing […and] then hand washed, apply gloves and provided tracheostomy humidifier tubing adjustments….” As a part of the procedure, the therapist “took a clear plastic bag with a large clear tubing from the bedside of [the resident] and placed it under his arms, removed his gloves and left the room without hand washing after providing respiratory equipment care.”
The state investigator conducted an interview with the Respiratory Therapist a few minutes later and “asked why he did not wash his hands prior to providing care to [multiple residents] and after providing care [to the resident in isolation due to contracting a highly communicable disease].” The therapist replied that “he washed his hands before coming into the room of 110 and could not account for the lack of handwashing that occurred in Room 108 […and] states he did not wash his hands because he did not handle the residents and was not draining the tubing.”
The state investigator noted that the actions of the nursing staff failed to follow the facility’s 2016 policy titled: Infection Control and Hand Hygiene Policy Number 505 that reads in part:
“Wash your hands between each resident contact and before… and after each procedure on a resident… and after removing any personal protection equipment.”
The facility was reminded that they “must provide each employee with initial and continual training that enables the employee to perform his or her duties effectively, efficiently, and competently.”
Harvey Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse, neglect or mistreatment while residing as a patient at Children’s Habilitation Center, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC now. Our skillful Harvey attorneys have successfully resolved many victim cases involving mistreatment, neglect, and abuse in Illinois nursing facilities. Our legal team can work on your behalf to ensure your family receives the financial compensation they deserve.
We encourage you to contact our Cook County child abuse law offices by calling (888) 424-5757 today to schedule your free, comprehensive recompense case review. You do not need to make any upfront payment for our legal services because we accept all community living facility abuse and neglect cases through contingency fee agreements. This means our fees are paid only after we have successfully resolved your claim for compensation by negotiating an acceptable out of court settlement or winning your case at trial.
Sources:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6001705FIK09142016.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6001705FIK11232015.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6001705FA08032015.PDF
