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Any injury of unknown origin must be properly investigated, and reported to the state agency in a timely manner. In addition, the nursing staff must take appropriate measures to ensure that the injured resident receives the highest quality care as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, not all facilities follow procedures and protocols, which can be detrimental to the health and well-being of the patient. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represent abused and injured residents of Illinois long-term care centers like Forty Fourth Street Place to ensure their rights, dignity and respect are protected.
Forty Fourth Street Place
This LTC Center is a ‘for profit’ Home providing services to residents of Decatur and Macon County, Illinois. The 6-certified-bed Long-Term Care Home is located at:
1479 S. 44th St.
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 422-2773
Decatur Long Term Care Home Resident Safety Concerns
The Illinois LTC home regulatory agency routinely updates their statewide nursing facility database system. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH – ltc.dph.illinois.gov) information contains a historical list of health violations, dangerous hazards, safety concerns, incident inquiries, opened investigations, and filed complaints of every facility in each county.
The Macon County abuse and neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have reviewed serious safety concerns, violations and deficiencies at this long-term care facility that include:
- Failure to Provide Every Resident an Environment Free of Accident Hazards and Provide Adequate Supervision to Avoid Resident Injury
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 08/26/2016, a state surveyor opened a formal complaint against the facility for its failure to “ensure the safety of [a resident] who sustained a hematoma and ecchymosis on the interior chest, upper back and upper abdomen area extending to the upper arm." The failure of the nursing staff involved a resident functioning “at a profound Intellectual Disability level with current diagnoses of “Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease [GERD], Constipation, and Edema Unspecified."
A review of the facility’s 07/20/2016 Incident Report revealed the resident “was being dressed in the morning and was found to have bruising.” The nursing staff noted “severe bruising to the left underneath arm midway down to the elbow across the chest and both breasts. Swelling noted left axilla. Purple/blue bruising in color. Alert vital signs 132/70, 72, 80. Ate 100% of breakfast this morning. Neuros are within normal limits, able to move the left arm with a no indication of pain."
The House Advocate stated in the morning of 08/23/2016 that on 07/27/2016 they took the resident to the eye doctors and changed her before they left and did not see “any bruising or discoloring anywhere." During the night, the Night Direct Service Person (DSP) started to yell for the House Advocate who thought that the resident “was having a seizure.” At that time, the resident “had bruising under her left arm and breast.”
The state investigator interviewed a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) working at the facility on 08/18/2016 and asked if the facility called the LPN “about the bruising." The LPN stated that the bruising “looked like finger marks on her like someone had grabbed her arm." The LPN “wrote it on the first incident report but was told by the Administrator that [they] couldn’t write that, it was subjective and [they] didn’t know for sure what happened."
Instead, the LPN “wrote a new report but as the day went on her bruising just kept growing larger and larger. The marks had blended in.” The LPN was asked if they took photographs, to which they replied “No.”
Additional staff members were interviewed concerning an incident or fall that might have happened during their shift in all replied “No, nothing, she seemed fine.” The employees were then asked if the resident “fell on the floor could she get herself up and they all stated “No.”
The investigator then interviewed the facility’s Administrator/Quality Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) on the afternoon of 08/23/2016 who stated “the staff is to put the gait belt on her during every transfer and then take it off. I asked the nurse to do a full assessment and try to get her to the doctors. The doctors couldn’t see her until Thursday the next week on August 4. We had a meeting on Monday, August 1 and decided to send her to urgent care. Staff was informed if she got worse or if there were changes in her condition they were to send her to the emergency room.”
The investigator “asked why didn’t you send her out on the first day to be evaluated?” The Quality Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) replied “I tend to let the nurses decide that."
Decatur Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you believe that your loved one was harmed by caregivers, employees, visitors or other residents at Forty Fourth Street Place, call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC today. Let our knowledgeable Decatur attorneys file and successfully resolve your abuse, neglect or mistreatment case that occurred in an Illinois nursing home.
We urge you to contact our Macon County 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. We accept every long-term care home abuse case through contingency fee arrangements, so no upfront payment or retainer is required.
Sources:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6013544FA08262016.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6013544FIK11062015.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6013544FAK04092015.PDF
