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In 1987, the United States Congress passed the Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) as a way to protect every nursing home resident’s quality of life. A part of the bill involved the resident’s right to remain free from unnecessary physical restraints. Unfortunately, the Niles elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have represented many residents in nursing facilities who have been unnecessarily restrained by physical and chemical means.
The improper use of a physical restraint can cause serious injuries to the resident including pressure sores, bone and muscle weakness, cardiovascular issues, withdrawal and depression. Often times, the nursing facility will use a chemical restraint by over sedating the resident that results in confusion, fatigue, lack of appetite, dehydration and other serious complications including adverse effects to the medication.
Federal and state nursing home regulators strictly prohibited nursing facilities from restraining residents for the staff’s convenience or as a form of punishment. Any unauthorized use of a restraint including restrictive chairs, bed rails, straps, vest, hand mitts or other devices that restrain the resident’s ankles, wrists or body could be considered abuse and mistreatment.
Generations at Regency
Generations at Regency is a 300 bed Medicare/Medicaid for-profit long-term skilled nursing and post-acute rehabilitation center which includes cardiac rehab, fracture care, and stroke recovery to residents in Niles and Cook County, Illinois.
The facility is located at:
6631 Milwaukee Avenue
Niles, Illinois 60714
(847) 647-7444
Niles Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
Federal and state government nursing home regulators routinely update their national nursing home website database and post the information on Medicare.gov. This comparative tool provides analysis listing every nursing home in the United States. Family members often use this valuable data as an effective solution for deciding where to place a loved one who requires the highest level of medical, nursing and hygiene care.
Currently, Generations at Regency maintains an overall one star out of five available star rating compared with other facilities nationwide. Our Niles nursing home neglect attorneys have found numerous opened complaints, safety concerns and health violations involving this facility. Two of these concerns include:
- Failure to Ensure That Residents Remain Free from Unnecessary Physical Restraints
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 02/16/2016, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility's failure to "release safety belt during monitored mealtime/activities. These deficient practices affected [one resident at the facility] review for physical restraints.”
The failure by the nursing staff at Generations at Regency was first noted at 12:35 PM on 02/07/2016 when the resident “was in the dining room which was monitored by [a Licensed Practical Nurse, two Certified Nursing Assistants and a staff Manager] during the lunch meal.” The resident “seatbelt remain in place for the duration of the lunch meal.”
The following morning at 9:50 AM on 02/08/2016, the resident “was in attendance at an activity which was monitored by [two Activity Aides and a Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)]. The resident’s seatbelt remained in place [...and] at 10:35 AM [the resident] was unable to remove the seat belt despite instructions given to her in her native language by [the CNA].” The state investigator noted that the resident’s Physician Order clearly stated that “the seat belt to be release every two hours, during meals, activities, ADL (activities of daily living), while sleeping and PRN (as needed).”
- Failure to Investigate, Control and Keep Infections from Spreading throughout the Facility
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 02/16/2016, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility's failure to "follow its policies and procedures regarding proper hand hygiene during wound care treatment.” The deficient practice by the nursing staff at Generations at Regency affected one resident at the facility.
The failure was first noted at 10:55 AM on 02/08/2016 during a wound care observation when the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) “was observed removing gloves after removing [the resident’s] old dressing.” At that time, the LPN went into the resident’s “bathroom to do handwashing. In less than three seconds, [the LPN] was observed coming out from the bathroom [wearing] new gloves and started cleaning [the resident’s] wound on the right lateral shin with normal saline.” After cleaning [the resident’s] wound, [the LPN] remove gloves and went to [the resident’s] bathroom to do handwashing. Less than three seconds, [the LPN] was again observed coming from the [resident’s] bathroom.”
The state investigator interviewed the facility’s Assistant Director of Nursing at 11:30 AM on 02/09/2016 in regards to “the amount of time for proper handwashing.” The Assistant Director of Nursing stated that “handwashing should be done within 40 to 45 seconds.”
Niles Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If your loved one has suffered injury, harm or abuse while residing at Generations at Regency or any other nursing facility in Illinois, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can take quick legal action to stop the harm now. Our team of dedicated Niles elder abuse lawyers can ensure your loved one receives the financial compensation they deserve through the reckless, negligent or abusive actions of the nursing staff.
We encourage you to make contact with our Cook County nursing home abuse attorneys today by calling (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We accept all personal injury claims on contingency, meaning no upfront payment or retainer is required.
http://generationsregency.com/
