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The common occurrence of the spread of infection in a nursing facility can result in dire consequences when residents suffer infectious disease outbreaks that are often unrecognized until it is too late. Not only are resident’s susceptible to infection by sharing sources of food, water, air and health care, especially in crowded facilities, but also staff members, visitors, and employees. In fact, the elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have represented many nursing home victims who have suffered harm through the spread of infection.
While every human being is susceptible to infection such as influenza or UTIs (urinary tract infections), individuals 65 years and older are highly vulnerable. Often times, their cases of infection are more challenging to diagnose. However, without proper treatment, the elderly can suffer chronic poor health, ongoing discomfort and a higher potential of being hospitalized to fully recover, when possible.
The spread of infection often occurs through a lack of training, overcrowded conditions and failing to follow established protocols to minimize the potential harm to other residents. Without proper precautions, the elderly can suffer serious skin infections, urinary tract infections, MRSA (Methicillin -Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and C. diff (Clostridium difficile).
East Bank CenterEast Bank Center is a 54-bed nursing facility participating in Medicaid and Medicare serving the residents of Loves Park and Winnebago County. The facility is located at:
6131 Park Ridge Rd.Loves Park Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
Loves Park, IL 61111
(815) 633-6810
Throughout the year, federal agencies including Medicare.gov routinely update their nursing home comparison database in an effort to provide valuable information for families needing to place a loved one in a nursing facility. Currently, East Bank Center maintains a five out of five available star rating compared to other facilities nationwide. This includes four out of five stars for health inspections.
However, our Loves Park nursing home neglect attorneys have found numerous safety concerns and health violations at the facility. Two of these include deficient practices of the nursing staff that violate procedures and protocols that could harm every resident through the spread of infection.
- Failure to Protect Residents from the Spread of Infection throughout the Facility
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 07/08/2015, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility's failure to "ensure staff use an effective sanitizing agent, to prevent cross-contamination, when caring for a resident with Clostridium difficile (C. diff).”
The state investigator noted that at 9:30 AM on 07/08/2015 “the 300 Wing nurses station Sani-Wipes Plus container (use for C. diff isolation rooms) reads that the ingredients are not effective against C. diff organism. The expiration date on the container reads “expires 4/2015.” This is in response to a resident’s 06/29/2015 lab result that revealed: “her stool was positive for C. diff.” In addition, the resident “did not have an isolation sign on her door on 07/06/2015 [...and] an isolation sign was not on [the resident’s] door on 07/07/2015 until 1:45 PM.”
In a second summary statement of deficiencies dated the previous year on 06/05/2014, a state surveyor made a notation during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility's failure to "ensure staff washes their hands” for infection control. This incident was revealed at 9:10 AM on 06/03/2014 when a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) took medications to a resident. The LPN touched the resident’s “sleeves and was checking for an indication bracelet.” The LPN then “arranged items on [the resident’s] bedside table [...and] went into the hallway interacting and touching visitors then went to the nurse’s station [...and] did not wash her hands or use sanitizing gel/phone before leaving [the resident’s] room.”
This investigation also involved a 11:50 AM 06/04/2015 observation of a facility’s Registered Nurse returning to a different resident’s “room with Insulin and a syringe. After drawing up insulin into the syringe, [the Registered Nurse] clean the resident’s left upper arm with an alcohol pad.” After the insulin was injected, the Registered Nurse “dispose of the used syringe into a sharps container at the doorway to the room [… but] did not wash her hands before leaving [the resident’s] room.”
The state investigator interviewed the facility’s Director of Nursing the following day who stated that “staff should wash your hands before and after caring for a resident. The deficient practice by the nursing staff at East Bank Center failed to follow the facility’s October 2010 Insulin Administration Policy that reads in part: Dispose of the needle in a designated container. Wash hands.” Additionally, the facility’s December 2012 Administering Medications policy states that the “staff shall follow established facility infection control procedures (e.g., handwashing, and aseptic technique, gloves, isolation precautions, etc.) for the administration of medications, as applicable.”
If you, or your loved one, have suffered any type of mistreatment, abuse, neglect harm or injury while residing at East Bank Center or any other nursing facility in Illinois, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can provide immediate help. Our team of dedicated Winnebago County elder abuse attorneys can begin the process of ensuring your loved one receives the highest quality medical care at their nursing home bedside and seek the financial compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Our Loves Park nursing home neglect law firm encourages you to make contact with our offices today by calling (888) 424-5757 to schedule your free, no obligation full case evaluation. All personal injury and elder abuse cases are handled through contingency arrangements so no upfront fees are required.
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6003222FIK07082015.PDF
