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Many families place a loved one in a nursing facility because they need appropriate levels of care to monitor their blood sugar levels and provide insulin when necessary. Unfortunately, many nursing staff lack the appropriate training to provide necessary medications, which can lead to a decrease in the resident’s health and well-being. Sadly, the St. Louis elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have handled many cases where the resident suffered serious injury or wrongful death due to the negligent actions of the nurse administering medications.
Every nursing facility in the United States is required to minimize their medication error rates to five percent or less. Unfortunately, many nursing home residents suffer serious injury or premature death caused by the administering of the wrong medication, the wrong dosage or the right medication given to the wrong resident. Other times, the nursing staff fails to follow procedures and protocols based on physician’s orders when providing insulin to residents with low blood sugar.
Grand Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Grand Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 120-certified bed for profit Medicaid/Medicare-participating nursing facility providing services to residents in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri and St. Clair County, Illinois. The facility is located at:
3645 Cook AVE
St. Louis, Missouri 63113
(314) 531-2352
St. Louis Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
in an effort to ensure that families have the most current information on nursing facilities throughout the United States, both the federal government and state agencies routinely update their nursing home databases to reflect recently opened investigations, filed complaints, health violations and safety concerns. The updated information can be found on numerous online sites including Medicare.gov.
Currently, Grand Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center maintains an overall two out of five available star rating in the national star rating summary system and analysis comparative tool. This includes two out of five stars for quality measures, staffing issues, and health concerns. Our St. Louis elder abuse attorneys have found numerous concerns involving this facility that include:
- Failure to Ensure That Every Resident Receives a Professional Standard of Quality Care
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 01/22/2016, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility's failure to "administer medications and blood sugar (BS) checks per physician’s orders, and ensure congruent code status information” was recorded. The investigation involved a resident being treated for hypertension.
The state investigator noted upon review of the resident’s Nurses’ Notes that blood pressure was not being monitored in accordance with the resident’s Physician Order Sheet (POS) that documented medication was to be given “three times a day as needed if BP is 150 or above.”
As a part of the investigation, the state surveyor conducted an interview with the facility’s Director of Nursing who stated that “staff should take the resident blood pressure three times a day and administer [their medication] per physician’s orders.”
- Failure to Ensure the Rate of Medication Errors Including the Wrong Dose, Wrong Drug, Wrong Time Was Maintained at a Rate Less Than Five Percent
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 01/22/2016, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure “to maintain a medication error rate of five percent or less. Out of 41 opportunities, the staff made 15 errors which resulted in a medication error of 36.59%” involving eleven residents at the facility.
As a part of the investigation, the state surveyor observed a medication administration pass at 8:50 AM on 01/19/2016 that revealed a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) “check the resident’s blood sugar level and administered 10 units of insulin.” However, in an interview with the resident two minutes later 8:52 AM, the resident said [date] had eaten breakfast at approximately 8:00 AM and already had breakfast when [their] blood sugar was check.”
A review of the resident’s 01/04/2016 Physician Order Sheet (POS) revealed that the insulin medication was to be administered to the resident three times a day with meals at 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM at 4:00 PM. However, observation of the Licensed Practical Nurse showed the administering of the resident’s insulin at 9:45 AM on 01/19/2016.”
The investigator noted that the facility’s 12/01/2012 policy titled Accu-Checks (Blood Sugar Level Checking) Policy fails to provide appropriate guidelines to the nursing staff as to when to check the resident’s blood sugar levels. The policy reads in part:
“Purpose: To provide standard guidelines for checking and monitoring of residents requiring insulin injections; The policy does not address obtaining the resident’s blood sugar before the meal was served.”
St. Louis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you have any suspicions that your loved one has suffered premature death or serious injury caused by a medication error while residing at Grand Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center or any other nursing facility, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help. Our St. Clair County elder abuse attorneys can work on your behalf to ensure your family and loved one obtains the financial compensation they are entitled to receive.
To ensure your claim for financial compensation is successful, we urge you to contact our St. Louis nursing home abuse law firm today at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free case consultation. No upfront fees are required because we accept all wrongful death lawsuits and personal injury cases on contingency.
