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It is the duty of every long-term care Center to aid, monitor and supervise of residents around-the-clock, including when transporting to and from the Day Training facility. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes, assisted living centers and long-term care centers adequately develop and enforce effective policies designed to protect the resident 24 hours a day, even when they are away from the facility. In some cases, the resident is required to use the local mass transit system without supervision, which can be detrimental to them and other residents going to and from work/day training. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provide legal advice, counsel and representation to individuals who have been neglected, mistreated and abused at Illinois long-term care (LTC) homes like Effingham Terrace.
Effingham Terrace
This Center is a 16-certified-bed Facility providing services to residents of Effingham and Effingham County, Illinois. The ‘for profit’ LTC Home is located at:
1101 S. 3rd St.
Epping ham IL 62401
(217) 347-5946
Effingham Long Term Care 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 dangerous hazards, filed complaints, health violations, opened investigations, safety concerns, and incident inquiries. 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 Effingham County abuse and neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have viewed deficiencies and safety concerns at this long-term care facility that include:
- Failure to Ensure All Residents Remain Safe While Being Transported to and from the Day Training Site by Providing Supervision and Assistance by a Trained Employee
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/28/2012, an Illinois state surveyor performed an annual licensure and certification survey, and noted the facility’s failure to “ensure a system that provides a safe transport of individuals to and from the day training site.” This failure by the nursing staff and administration at the facility involved 14 individuals.
The deficient practice was first noted in the state investigator’s findings after reviewing the facility’s roster that validates levels of functioning of all individuals involved in the failure. Most individuals involved in the failure function in the Mild Range of Mental Retardation, two residents function in the Severe Range of Mental Retardation, and one resident “functions in the Profound Range of Mental Retardation.
Observations were made between 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM on 06/21/2012 of a resident who “requires a walker and gait belt or wheel chair for safe ambulation." Another resident “requires a walker for safe ambulation and [a third resident] requires a walker and gait belt for safe ambulation." A fourth resident “also has an oxygen concentrator that accompanies her to the day training site.”
A review of the facility’s 06/21/2012 Inspection of Care Form revealed that two residents “have seizure diagnoses" and that seven residents “are on behavior management programs or require psychotropic medications [...and two residents are on] behavior management programs [for] maladaptive behaviors or physical aggression."
The documentation revealed that a resident’s “physical aggression is defined as hitting, punching with a closed fist, pushing, head butting and scratching others [...and] also has self-injurious behaviors defined as biting, punching self with a closed fist, scratching himself on the chest and hitting their arm with a fist.” This same resident “has behaviors regarding environmental disruption, defined as property destruction, throwing things, upending, throwing or shoving her plate at mealtimes and slamming doors.”
As a part of the investigation, it was noted during an interview with the facility Administrator on the early afternoon of 06/21/2012 that “the individuals are transported to the day training sites on the mass transit vehicle.” The Administrator also confirmed “that no staff from the facility or day training site accompanied the individual during transport.” The facility also could not produce a transportation policy during the investigation.”
The state investigator reminded the facility that they must “exercise general policy, budget, and operating direction over the facility using the governing body" to ensure the safety of the resident’s and others during transport to and from the day training site from the facility. The investigator noted that the Administrator and nursing staff at Effingham Terrace failed to exercise are general policy to ensure resident safety.
Effingham Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you believe your loved one has suffered abuse, neglect or mistreatment while residing as a patient at Effingham Terrace, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today. Our skillful Illinois nursing home attorneys have successfully resolved many victim cases involving mistreatment, neglect, and abuse in Illinois long-term care 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 Effingham County elder 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 nursing home 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 win your case at trial.
Sources:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6002737FI06282012.PDF
