Infectious outbreaks occurring in nursing facilities is an all too common problem when the nursing staff fails to follow established procedures and protocols to maintain the spread of contaminants. Because of the close proximity and tight living conditions, nursing homes become the ideal breeding ground for infectious bacteria, viruses, and other diseases. Unfortunately, the Buffalo Grove elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have handled many cases for nursing home residents who have been victimized by the neglectful actions of their caregivers that caused life-threatening infections.
Many individuals enter nursing facilities as a part of the recovery from surgery or other medical conditions. During their stay, they become highly susceptible to infection due to an open wound or the spread of contaminants from other residents.
Nursing facilities have a legal obligation to ensure that all staff members are trained to minimize and prevent the development of an infectious outbreak. Any failure on the part could severely injure one or more residents at the facility, who in some cases, lose their lives.
Symphony of Buffalo Grove
Symphony of Buffalo Grove is a 200-certified bed for-profit nursing facility providing services to residents of Buffalo Grove and Cook and Lake counties. The Medicare/Medicaid-participating facility is located at:
150 N. Weiland Rd.
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089
(847) 465-0200
The facility offers skilled nursing and pain management along with rehabilitation programs that include:
- Cardiac care
- Orthopedic surgery and joint replacement
- Pulmonary care
- Neurological diseases
- Stroke
- Complex post-surgical wound care
Buffalo Grove Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
- Failure to Provide Necessary Services at the Level of Care to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections by Allowing Contaminants to Enter the Bladder In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 03/24/2016, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility’s failure to “ensure that an indwelling urinary catheter tubing was below the level of the bladder during resident transfers.” The state investigator also noted the facility’s failure to “provide perineal care in a manner to prevent urinary tract infections.”The failure was first noted at 12:45 PM on 03/21/2016 when two Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) transferred the resident “from the wheelchair to the bed using a mechanical lift.” At that point, one of the CNAs “placed the resident’s catheter bag on her lap. [The resident] was raised in the mechanical lift to a cradle position in the catheter bag slid out to [the resident’s] chest. The urine in the tubing flows backward into the resident’s bladder [before being lowered] bed.”The state investigator interviewed that CNA five minutes later at 12:50 PM the same day, who stated that she “was unsure of the facility policy regarding the placement of the catheter tubing during the transfer and she would have to ask her supervisor.” Five minutes later, at 12:55 PM, the investigator interviewed the Licensed Practical Nurse in charge of the Certified Nursing Assistant, who stated that “the catheter\tubing should be below the level of the bladder.” The investigator also noted that the facility’s May 2014 policy for Catheterization “does not address the positioning of the catheter tubing or catheter bag.”
- Failure to Develop, Implement, and Enforce a Program That Investigates, Controls, and Keeps Infection from Spreading Throughout the Facility In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 03/24/2016, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure “to prevent the spread of infection by not removing gloves, washing hands […and] sanitizing equipment.” The deficient practice by the nursing staff at Symphony of Buffalo Grove affected three residents at the facility “reviewed for infection control.”The failure was first noted at 12:05 PM on 03/21/2016 when a Certified Nursing Assistant provided perineal care to a resident and “continue providing care for [the resident] by putting an incontinent brief on, pulling her gown down, adjusting her pillow, and pulling her up in the bed.” During that process, the Certified Nursing Assistant “did not remove her gloves and wash her hands after providing perineal care.”After providing care, the CNA “removed her gloves but did not wash her hands. She went to the nurse’s station, got a cup of soup, and then entered another resident’s room.” In an interview with the facility process Director of Nursing at 1:05 PM, 03/23/2016, the Director said, “she expected them (the CNAs) to do the right thing by washing her hands as frequently as possible. The ultimate goal is to prevent infections. You don’t want to spread anything to the next person.”
Buffalo Grove Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you suspect your loved one has suffered from an infectious disease while residing in an Illinois nursing facility, including Symphony of Buffalo Grove, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can help you seek justice and the financial compensation you deserve. Our Lake County elder abuse attorneys can investigate your claim for compensation to determine if the infection could have been prevented and assist you in recovering your damages.
To successfully resolve your financial claim for compensation, we encourage you to contact our Buffalo Grove, Illinois, nursing home law firm today at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free, no-obligation private consultation. We accept all nursing home claims for compensation and wrongful death lawsuits through contingency fee agreements to avoid needing you to pay an upfront fee.
Resources:
- Symphony of Buffalo Grove
- IDPH: Symphony Buffalo Grove
