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Chicago Ridge Nursing Home
The nursing home has to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment where residents can receive care and daily living support. When these conditions are not met, a resident is either suffering abuse or neglect by the care facility.
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, nursing home abuse and neglect are "sadly common occurrences." Studies show that 33% of nursing home residents will be victims of abuse or neglect during their stay, yet most cases of nursing home abuse and neglect go unreported.
There are many reasons why victims may be reluctant to speak up, like feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or helpless. They may fear that they will not be believed, retaliated against, or worried about getting the abuser in trouble.
Whatever the reason, nursing home abuse victims need to know that they are not alone and that there are people who can and want to help.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC
Do you suspect that abuse and neglect led to injuries or death of a family member while residing at Chicago Ridge Nursing Center? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can legally advocate holding those responsible financially accountable on your family's behalf.
Contact our nursing home abuse lawyers in Chicago at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation.
All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Chicago Ridge Nursing Center
This facility is a 231-certified bed Medicare and Medicaid-approved for-profit nursing facility (not a continuing care retirement community) providing care and services to Cook County residents. Chicago Ridge Nursing Center is located at:
10602 Southwest Highway
Chicago Ridge, IL 60415
(708) 448-1540
Website: https://chicagoridgenursing.com/
This very large facility provides care, services, and amenities:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Enteral – Parenteral feeding
- Chemotherapy
- C-Pap & Bi-Pap
- Respiratory therapy
- Restorative nursing
- Infectious disease care
- Pain management
- In-house X-ray & lab services
- Visiting Optometrist
- Visiting Podiatrist
- Hearing services
- Transportation to and from dialysis clinics
- Nursing services
- Comprehensive rehab center
- Behavioral health services
- Social services
- Assistance with activities of daily living
- Round-the-clock nursing staff
- Senior care options
Chicago Ridge Nursing Center Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
Through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal government regularly updates its inspection database on surveys and investigations conducted at all care facilities throughout the United States. The data involves all formal complaints, citations, violations, penalties, fines, and health concerns.
Many families use the information to determine where to place a loved one in nearby nursing homes to ensure they receive the utmost patient care, adequate supervision, and medical treatments in a home-like environment.
Chicago Ridge Nursing Center maintains one out of five stars overall rating, revealing substandard care. The score includes:
- One out of five stars for health inspections
- One out of five stars for staffing issues
- Two out of five stars for quality measures
Chicago, IL personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC have reviewed years of investigations and alleged violations at Chicago Ridge Nursing Center and found numerous safety concerns.
Failure To Protect Each Resident From All Types of Abuse Such as Physical, Mental, Sexual Abuse, Physical Punishment, And Neglect by Anybody – Deficiency #F0600
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated October 25, 2021, the state inspectors determined that Chicago Ridge Nursing Center failed to "ensure that agency staff was trained on facility-specific protocols related to abuse and misappropriation of resident property [before] working at the facility."
The investigation involved a Chicago Ridge Nursing Center staff member admitting to accepting a resident's debit card to accommodate personal requests for the resident against facility protocol.
The abused resident's assessment revealed diagnoses including:
- Dementia
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Poor insight/poor judgment
- Poor communication skills
- Poor ambulation
- Inability to ambulate/propel wheelchair
- Frailty/weakness
- History of exploitation
- Heavy care needs
- Unable to make needs known
The investigation revealed documentation that the resident gave his debit card to an agency CNA (certified nursing assistant), asking her to withdraw a hundred dollars in purchases in some items. However, more than $100 was withdrawn, and the CNA did not return the money withdrawn in excess.
Failure To Follow Their Abuse Policy And Prevent Residents To Resident Mental Abuse - Unwanted Exposure to Pornography At Chicago Ridge Nursing Home
In a separate summary statement of deficiencies dated April 7, 2022, the state investigators determined the Long-Term Care Center "failed to follow their abuse policy and prevent residents to resident mental abuse."
Failure To Provide and Implement An Infection Prevention And Control Program – Deficiency #F0880
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated October 25, 2021, the state inspectors determined that Chicago Ridge Long-Term Care Center failed to "follow their infection prevention protocols by staff failing to perform hand hygiene and wearing required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when entering rooms of patients under investigation for Covid-19 when while distributing resident meals."
The investigators also found that the caregivers failed to have visible signage posted on a resident's room indicating Covid-19 in areas with isolation precautions. The staff also failed to ensure they followed hand hygiene protocols while administering medications.
While four Chicago Ridge Nursing Center residents affected by the deficiency were immediately at risk, all 191 patients could have been affected.
Failure To Ensure The Nursing Home Areas Free from Accident Hazards and Provides Adequate Supervision To Prevent Accidents – Deficiency #F0689
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated April 7, 2022, the state inspectors determined that Chicago Ridge Nursing Center failed to "monitor and supervise a high fall risk resident and failed to implement appropriate interventions."
The resident's health was compromised after " ambulating unassisted and sustaining multiple brain bleeds requiring hospitalization."
March 10, 2022, nursing notes reveal that the resident "was observed lying on the left side next to the bathroom door following a loud noise." The resident's roommate stated that the injured patient "had just finished using the restroom and fell" onto his back.
Chicago Ridge Nursing Center staff members applied a dressing to the bleeding site, but a moderate amount of blood continued to flow from a head wound.
The nursing staff had the resident transported to the emergency room for treatment for a 2-inch laceration to the left side of the face. Documents show that the resident had remained verbally unresponsive for 5 minutes with labored breathing.
Pressure Ulcers in Nursing Home At Chicago Ridge
Pressure ulcers (bedsores, pressure sores, pressure wounds, decubitus ulcers) are a severe problem for nursing home residents. These wounds are painful, hard to heal, and can lead to infection, yet are preventable with proper care.
What Are Pressure Ulcers?
Pressure ulcers are wounds that occur when there is sustained pressure on the skin. They most often occur on bony areas of the body, such as the heels, hips, and tailbone. Pressure sores can be very painful and difficult to heal. If not treated properly, they can lead to infection.
How Can You Prevent Pressure Ulcers?
There are several things that you can do to prevent pressure sores.
- Keep your skin clean and dry
- Avoid sitting or lying in the same position for too long
- Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids to keep your skin healthy
- Use a special mattress or cushion to reduce pressure on your skin
- Don't smoke. Smoking decreases blood flow to the skin and slows healing.
When Bedsores Indicate Nursing Home Neglect
Bedsores are often an indicator of nursing home neglect. If a patient is not being turned or moved around enough, or if they are not adequately cared for by the nursing staff, it can lead to the development of bedsores.
In addition, if a nursing home is understaffed, it can lead to delays in providing timely care to patients who develop bedsores.
If left untreated, bedsores can become infected, leading to other serious health complications. In some cases, they may even be fatal. Therefore, nursing home staff must carefully monitor residents' skin for any bedsores and take appropriate action to treat them as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, many care facilities fail to do this properly, leading to the development of bedsores in residents. Bedsores can indicate that the home is neglecting its residents and not providing them with the necessary care and support.
The Multiple Stages of Bedsores: How Health Care Professionals Assess a Declining At Pressure Wound
When bedridden or otherwise immobile, it's essential to do everything possible to prevent bed sores. To ensure resident health in the nursing home, the staff must follow established protocols to minimize the risk of a declining wound leading to infection.
The multiple stages of facility-acquired pressure wounds include:
- Stage 1: Bed sores typically start with redness in the skin. The area may feel warm to the touch and be painful. If the condition is left untreated, it will progress to stage 2.
- Stage 2: In stage 2, the sore will deepen and become an open wound. The area may also begin to ooze pus or blood. If not treated, stage 2 bed sores can quickly progress to stage 3.
- Stage 3: Stage 3 bed sores are very deep wounds extending below the skin's surface. At this stage, the sore may begin to emit a foul smell. Without treatment, stage 3 bed sores can progress to stage 4.
- Stage 4: Stage 4 is the most severe stage of bed sores. The wound at this stage penetrates down to the bone, and the surrounding tissue may be dead. Treatment is urgently needed at this stage to avoid serious complications.
- Unstageable: The buildup of necrotic (dead) tissue, dried blood, and debris inside the wound can make it difficult to determine the extent of the decline to ensure that the resident is receiving the treatment necessary for healing.
- Deep Tissue Injury: Some pressure wounds degrade far into the tissue, muscle, bones, and bone marrow, leading to life-threatening infections that could result in death.
All nursing home facilities must ensure resident safety and provide routine skin care to eliminate the risk of developing pressure ulcers.
Why Nursing Homes Must Implement an Infection Prevention and Control Program
Nursing home facilities must have an infection prevention and control program to protect the health and safety of their residents. Infection prevention and control programs are designed to prevent the spread of infection within a healthcare facility.
These programs are vital because they help to reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
There are numerous benefits to implementing an infection control program in nursing home facilities. These programs can help reduce the number of HAIs, leading to better outcomes for residents.
Infection control programs can help to improve the quality of care by ensuring that residents receive the best possible care. Finally, these programs can help to save money by reducing the need for unnecessary hospitalizations.
Implementing an effective infection prevention and control program requires the following:
- Identify the most common type of infections that occur in nursing facilities.
- Develop policies and procedures to prevent the spread of these infections.
- Educate staff and residents about these policies and procedures to respond appropriately when an infection develops.
Preventing A Urinary Tract Infection In A Care Facility
Urinary tract infections are among the most common infections in nursing homes. One in 10 residents will develop a UTI each year. The good news is that these infections are preventable with the proper care and control protocols.
Educate Residents and Their Families on the Importance of Good Hygiene
One of the best ways to prevent UTIs is to educate residents and their families on the importance of good hygiene. Examples are teaching them how to properly wash their hands and clean their genital area. It's also important to remind them to drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently.
Implement A Catheter Care Program
Catheters are often used in nursing facilities, so having a solid catheter care program is essential. It should include proper cleaning and storage of catheters and regular check-ups by a doctor or nurse.
Encourage Staff To Wash Their Hands
Staff must wash their hands regularly, especially before and after resident contact. It will help to prevent the spread of infection.
Keep The Facility Clean
A clean facility is essential for preventing the spread of infection, including the regular cleaning of all surfaces, including floors, walls, countertops, and doorknobs. The laundry room should also be kept clean and free of clutter.
Use Disposable Gloves When Appropriate
Disposable gloves should be used when there is a risk of exposure to body fluids or when contact with mucous membranes is likely. Staff should change their gloves regularly and wash their hands immediately after removing them.
Isolate Residents Who Are Sick
If a resident is sick, it's important to isolate them from the rest of the population while they are receiving treatment, preventing the spread of infection.
Vaccinate Residents Against Influenza and Pneumonia
Vaccinating residents against influenza and pneumonia can help to reduce the risk of UTIs, as these diseases can lead to infections.
Contact a nursing home abuse lawyer from our Chicago Ridge law team for a free case review and legal counsel concerning compensation for the abuse and neglect of a loved one.
How Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Occurs
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, an estimated 1 in 10 older adults experience some form of elder abuse. Nursing home abuse is a severe problem, and it often goes unnoticed. The most common instances of nursing home abuse and neglect are mentioned below.
Physical Abuse
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, physical abuse is the intentional use of force against an elder that results in pain, injury, or impairment. This abusive behavior can include:
- Hitting
- Pushing
- Kicking
- Slapping
- The unnecessary use of restraints
- Physical punishment
- Shoving
- Rough handling of residents
Emotional Or Psychological Abuse
Verbally assaulting or harassing a nursing home resident is classified as emotional abuse. Any behavior that causes emotional pain or distress in an elder, including:
- Verbal abuse
- Belittling
- Name-calling
- Intimidation
- Mental abuse and harassment
- Isolating residents from others
- Not allowing residents to engage in activities they enjoy
- Verbally threatening residents
- Withholding food, water, or medication
Sexual Abuse
Forcing a nursing home resident to engage in any sexual activity is considered sexual abuse. Any unwanted sexual contact with an elder, including:
- Touching an elder's genitals
- Touching breasts or buttocks without consent
- Forcing an elder to watch pornographic material
- Forcing an elder to engage in sexual activity
Financial Abuse or Exploitation
The unauthorized use of an elder's money, property, or assets. Examples are:
- Stealing money or possessions
- Cashing checks without permission
- Using a credit card without approval
- Sudden changes to will, stocks portfolio, or proxy
- Taking advantage of an elderly person's trusting nature.
Social Isolation
Preventing a nursing home resident from socializing with other people is a form of neglect and isolation. Examples are restricting visitors, withholding mail and phone calls, or preventing residents from leaving the facility.
Medical Neglect
Failing to provide necessary medical care and treatment to a nursing home resident is neglectful behavior, including withholding medication, ignoring bed sores, and not scheduling regular doctor appointments.
Nutrition Neglect
Failing to provide enough food or proper nutrition to a nursing home resident is neglectful behavior, such as serving small portions of unhealthy food or not supplying any food.
Personal Hygiene Neglect
Failing to help a nursing home resident with basic personal hygiene tasks such as:
- Bathing
- Brushing teeth
- Using the toilet
- Refusing to change soiled clothes
- Personal grooming
Environmental Neglect
Not ensuring that the living environment of a nursing home resident is safe and comfortable is environmental neglect such as:
- Failing to keep the room clean and organized
- Not having sufficient heating or cooling in the room
- Having hazardous clutter in the nursing home area
Abandonment
The desertion of an elderly person by a caregiver without proper arrangements for care and support leaves elders without essential needs such as food, water, medication, and social interaction.
Medication Errors
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, medication errors are among the leading causes of death in nursing homes. These errors can occur when nurses give elders the wrong medication, when they give too much or too little medication, when they don't monitor medications closely enough, or when elders take medications improperly.
Falls
Falls are a leading cause of major injury and death among residents. Falls account for more than half of all nursing home injuries each year. The most common causes of falls are slippery floors; inadequate lighting; loose rugs and mats; and clutter and furniture that block pathways.
Burns
Burns are another leading cause of injury and death among residents. Most burns occur when elders accidentally touch something hot (such as a stovetop), but scalding hot water is also a common source of burns in nursing homes. Other causes of burns include exposure to flames and chemical spills/leaks.
Elopement
A lack of supervision could lead to residents wandering off and getting injured. For example, in one instance, a resident wandered out of the nursing home and was found dead two days later in a nearby river.
Do you believe your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse at Chicago Ridge Nursing Center? It is essential to reach out for help as soon as possible. Numerous resources are available for elder abuse victims, so they never have to go through the process alone.
Contact your local police department or emergency number immediately if you believe you or someone you know is in danger. Contact the National Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for 24/7 assistance.
Hire Personal Injury Lawyers to Resolve Your Nursing Home Compensation Claim
Was your loved one or family member neglected and abused while residing in Chicago Ridge Nursing Center or any other nursing home in Illinois? The nursing home abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help.
Talk to our Chicago Ridge, IL, elder abuse law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Our Illinois personal injury attorneys accept all nursing home abuse cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee agreement. This arrangement ensures you will pay no upfront fees until your legal team resolves your Chicago Ridge Nursing Center case through a negotiated settlement or jury award.