The use of behavior-modifying medications is strictly regulated in long-term care facilities, nursing homes and assisted living centers. When the medications are prescribed, the facility must receive approval for any increase in dosage prior to administering the change in medication dosages. Unfortunately, not all long-term care homes follow state law in obtaining proper authorization, which is often detrimental to the resident’s quality of life. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represent individuals who have received unnecessary or unauthorized medications while residing at Illinois long-term care (LTC) facilities like Freeburg Terrace.
Freeburg Terrace
This LTC Facility is a ‘for profit’ Home providing services to residents of Freeburg and St. Clair County, Illinois. The 16-certified-bed Long Term Care Center is located at:
#4 Hill Mine Road
Freeburg, Illinois 62243
(618) 539-4882
Freeburg Long Term Care Home Resident Safety Concerns
To ensure families are fully informed of the level of care every nursing home provides, the state of Illinois regularly updates their long-term care home database system. This data reflects a comprehensive list of opened investigations, safety concerns, filed complaints, incident inquiries, health violations, and dangerous hazards that can be found on numerous sites including Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH – ltc.dph.illinois.gov).
The St. Clair County neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have viewed deficiencies and safety concerns at this long-term care facility that include:
- Failure to Administer Medications as Per the Physician’s Orders and Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Instructions
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 09/23/2015, the state investigator noted during the first certification follow-up to a 07/09/2015 survey that the facility failed to “ensure that all staff was instructed I’m giving medications as administered and directed by the pharmaceutical manufacturer. This deficient practice affected one resident at the facility.”
The state investigator reviewed a resident’s 08/25/2015 MAR (Medication Administration Record) revealing the individual “functions in the Moderate Level of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.” During a record review on 09/22/2015, “two medications were ordered for the 9:00 PM [medication pass including] Ziprasidone [an antipsychotic to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder] and Zolpidem [a sedative to treat insomnia] to be given on an empty stomach.”
The resident’s MAR (Medication Administration Record) shows of these drugs are to be given at 9:00 PM. However, during an interview occurring at 11:05 AM on 09/21/2015, a Direct Service Person (DSP) “was shown the blister pack of medication [containing] Ziprasidone and pointing to the label to give with food, the Direct Service Person confirm they “gave this medication with food.” The investigator asked the DSP to confirm “that the label for Zolpidem was to be given on an empty stomach. It was also confirmed that both medications were ordered to be given at an hour of sleep (HS).”
A Registered Nurse at the facility was interviewed that same day at 1:40 PM “to clarify if a snack at 9:00 PM for [the resident] was given.” The nurse replied “that as a nurse, [they weren’t] aware that Ziprasidone was to be given with food.” The investigator conducted an interview with the resident’s physician who confirmed that “Ziprasidone was to be given with food.”
A review of the medication blister dated 08/27/2015 Box Warning [says to take] Ziprasidone with food” and the “review of medication blister pack on dated 09/03/2015 Box Warning [says to take] Zolpidem without food.”
- Failure to Ensure a Resident’s Drug Regimen Is Free from Unnecessary Medications
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 07/09/2015, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure “to ensure that the Specially Constituted Committee reviewed and gave approval for an increase of a behavior modifying medication for [a resident] on drugs to control behavior.” The resident’s behavior modifying medications had increased to 1000 milligrams daily of from 750 milligrams without approval.
The deficient practice was first noted in the state investigator’s findings after reviewing the facility’s 04/21/2015 Behavior Management/Resident Rights Committee that identifies the resident “as a 53-year-old individual who functions at the Mile Level of Intellectual Disability with additional diagnoses of Organic Personality Disorder and Adjustment Disorder.” In addition, the documentation reveals of the resident “has behaviors of verbal aggression and self-injurious behavior.”
“The Committee gave approval for the use of Depakote ER (extended-release) 750 milligrams daily for the diagnosis of Organic Personality Disorder.” The investigator interviewed the facility’s Quality Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) in the early afternoon of 07/08/2015 and the early morning of 07/09/2015 who confirmed that the resident “is presently taking Depakote E 1000 milligrams daily for behaviors […and] confirmed that the Specially Constituted Committee had not given approval for the increase in [the resident’s] Depakote he from 750 mg. To 1000 mg.”
Freeburg Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you suspect your loved one is being neglected while residing at Freeburg Terrace, call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC. Our skilled Freeburg attorneys can file and successfully resolve your victim cases involving mistreatment, neglect or abuse and hold those who caused your loved one harm financially accountable.
We urge you to contact our St. Clair County neglect and abuse law office at (888) 424-5757 to schedule your appointment today. Speak with one of our experienced lawyers for legal answers during a comprehensive, no-obligation case evaluation. No upfront fees are necessary because we accept every nursing home abuse compensation claims through contingency fee arrangements.
Sources:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6012637FID09232015.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6012637FIK05212014.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6012637FA08012013.PDF
