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State and federal nursing home regulators have strict guidelines on how and when nursing home administrators and staff members are to report any allegation of abuse and mistreatment. These types of cases often involve the darker side of nursing facilities and the lack of protection they provide their residents. Unfortunately, the Moline elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have handled many physical assault cases where nursing home residents have become victims of assault.
Many cases involving neglect and mistreatment go unreported because the victim is too afraid of retaliation from the alleged perpetrator, or lacks the capacity to speak out due to dementia or other medical condition. The facility is required to initiate a comprehensive investigation over every incident of alleged abuse and remove the alleged perpetrator from the premises to guarantee the safety of the resident until the process is complete. In addition, the Administrator or Abuse Coordinator is required to file the report with appropriate state agencies and law enforcement officers if it has been determined that a crime has been committed.
Heartland of MolineHeartland of Moline is a 149-certified bed for-profit Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility providing nursing services to residents of Moline and Rock Island County. The facility is located at:
833 16th Ave.
Moline, Illinois 61265
(309) 764-6744
Services at Heartland of Moline encompasses their Medbridge Rehabilitation program, which includes post-hospital care for cardiac, neurological, cancer, orthopedic, and pulmonary issues. They also specialize in complex wound care.
Moline Nursing Home Resident Safety ConcernsEvery month, the state of Illinois and the federal government update their nursing home databases to reflect currently opened investigations, safety concerns, health violations and filed complaints on facilities throughout the United States. The updated information is then posted on various websites including Medicare.gov through their star rating summary system.
Currently, Heartland of Moline maintains an overall one out of five available star rating when compared to other facilities throughout the United States. This includes three out of five stars for quality measures and one out of five stars for both staffing issues and health concerns. Our Moline nursing home neglect attorneys have uncovered numerous complaints and safety concerns involving this facility that include:
- Failure to Report and Investigate Any Act or Report of Abuse, Neglect or Mistreatment
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 10/20/2015, a notation was made by a state surveyor during an annual licensure and certification survey involving the facility's failure to "remove a suspected perpetrator, immediately report an allegation of abuse to the Administrator and Abuse Coordinator, thoroughly investigate an abuse allegation, and report to the local law enforcement.” This deficient practice by the nursing staff at Heartland of Moline directly affected two residents at the facility.
One resident’s MDS (Minimum Data Set) affected by the incident was noted as being “unable to completed the interview and is severely cognitively impaired… [and becomes agitated] and combative when cares were being provided.” During the event, the resident’s Power of Attorney was assisting when the resident “began to pull [the resident’s] penis out to urinate on the caregivers.” The resident’s Power of Attorney responded by slapping the resident on the resident’s “thigh/buttocks and hand.” At that time, the resident “cease the behavior and was then assisted to bed by [the nursing staff].”
However, the state investigator notes that “the State Report does not document when [the Director of Nursing/Abuse Coordinator nor the Administrator] were notified, and analysis of the incident, nor the conclusion of the incident, and whether abuse was founded or not.”
- Failure to Develop, Implement and Enforce Policies of Prevent Mistreatment, Neglect or Abuse of Residents
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 10/20/2015, the state investigator also noted the facility’s failure “to follow operational policies and procedures regarding reporting to the Administrator and Local Law Enforcement, investigating and protecting the residents.”
The state investigator noted that the State Report concerning the allegations of abuse listed above was dated on 09/02/2015 at 5:45 PM. However, there was an undated and untitled document revealing that the police were notified [2 days later] on 09/04/2015 and 11:00 AM. The deficient practice by the Administrator and nursing staff at Heartland of Moline failed to follow the facility’s November 2011 Patient Protection Practice Guide that reads in part:
“Any allegation of abuse must be immediately reported to the supervisor and abuse prevention coordinator. The center must ensure that all alleged violations involving mistreatment, neglect or abuse… Are reported immediately to the Administrator the facility. Staff members who suspect that a crime has occurred against the patient must file a report with local law enforcement and the state survey agency according to the following guidelines: no serious bodily injury – within 24 hours.”
If you suspect your loved one was the victim of assault or mistreatment while residing at any Illinois nursing facility including Heartland of Moline, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can take immediate legal steps to stop the abuse now. Our Rock Island County elder abuse law attorneys can ensure that the alleged abuser faces criminal charges and take appropriate measures to build a case to assist you in obtaining the financial compensation you deserve.
To successfully resolve your case, contact our Moline Illinois nursing home abuse law firm today at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Because we accept all nursing home abuse cases on contingency, no upfront fees are required.
http://www.heartland-manorcare.com/Moline
