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Before an Illinois nursing home resident can be prescribed antipsychotic medications, their doctor and caregivers must perform an assessment and evaluation of their behaviors. In addition, the antipsychotic drugs can only be administered with a doctor’s approval and a signed informed consent by the resident or the resident’s Power of Attorney (POA). Unfortunately, not every nursing facility follows these protocols or takes measures to determine if there are less drastic measures to provide care to the resident, which is often to the detriment of the patient’s well-being. The elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provide legal services to mistreated patients receiving antipsychotic medications without proper authorization while residing at Illinois nursing facilities like Highland Healthcare Center.
Highland Healthcare Center
This Center is a ‘for profit’ 128-certified-bed Medicare/Medicaid-approved Nursing Home providing cares and services to residents of Highland and Madison County, Illinois. The facility is located at:
1450 26th Street
Highland, Il 62249
(618) 654-2368
As a part of the Covenant Care Health Care System, Highland healthcare Center offers post-acute care and skilled nursing care, along with physical, occupational and speech therapies.
Highland Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
Comprehensive research results can be obtained through the federal government/Illinois Medicare.gov nursing home database that details every safety concern, health violation, opened investigation and filed complaint. Many families use this information to determine the level of medical, health and hygiene care nursing homes in their community provide their residents.
Currently, Highland Healthcare Center maintains an overall one out of five available star rating in the Medicare rating comparative analysis system. This includes two out of five stars for staffing concerns and quality measures and one out of five stars for health inspections. The Madison County nursing home neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have found various deficiencies, violations and safety concerns at this nursing home including:
- Failure to Maintain a Resident’s Dignity and Respect of Individuality
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 12/11/2015, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility's failure to "answer call lights timely and knock prior to entering the resident’s room.”
The deficient practice was first noted in the state investigator’s findings after an observation on the morning of 12/09/2015 when a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA entered the room of two residents “without knocking. At 9:25 AM, the CNA entered the resident’s room without knocking.” Three minutes later the CNA entered a separate resident’s room without knocking.
The state investigator noted that the facility’s 12/09/2015 Group Meeting where six residents “stated call lights are not being answered at the facility in a timely manner and resident stated ‘we have to wait 30 plus minutes for staff to answer call lights and then sometimes they come in, turn them off, and leave without helping us’”.
- Failure to Ensure Residents Remain Free from Accident Hazards and Provided Adequate Care to Avoid Injury
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 12/11/2015, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure to “safely transfer three residents reviewed for falls.” The deficient practice was first noted in the state surveyor’s findings involving a resident diagnosed with “muscle weakness and difficulty in walking.”
The resident’s 10/24/2015 Verification of Incident Investigation/Administrative Form revealed that a resident “was being transferred with one assist in the shower room [when the resident’s] legs ‘gave out’ any had to be lowered to the floor.” The form also revealed that “under immediate actions taken [where a] sit-to-stand or mechanical lift should be used.”
- Failure to Ensure That Residents’ Medication Regimens Are Free from Unnecessary Drugs
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 12/11/2015, the state surveyor noted the facility’s failure to “identify and assess for psychiatric symptoms, provide individualized behavior interventions and behavior tracking for [six residents] reviewed for antipsychotic medications.”
One failure involved a resident diagnosed with anxiety disorder, mental retardation, bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s dementia with delusions[who was] receiving antidepressant medication and anti-anxiety medication. The resident’s 11/14/2015 Behavioral Care Plan documents that the resident has “visual hallucinations and auditory hallucinations, aggressive or threatening, refusing care.”
The state investigator noted the “nonpharmacological interventions documented in [the resident’s] Care Plan are ‘provide reassurance, provide redirection or diversion as needed, provide individual care/interest – snacks’.” The surveyor noted that the resident’s December 2015 Documentation Survey Behavioral Report “failed to address her document any of the [the resident’s] targeted behaviors or psychotic symptoms, but does document non-drug interventions utilized for [the resident].”
Highland Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you suspect your loved one is being abused while residing at Highland Healthcare Center, call the Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers law offices now. Our skillful Highland seasoned attorneys have successfully resolved many victim cases involving mistreatment and abuse in Illinois nursing facilities. Our attorneys can work on your behalf to ensure your family receives the financial compensation they deserve.
We encourage you and your family to contact our Madison elder abuse law office today by calling (888) 424-5757 to schedule your appointment for a free comprehensive case review. Our skillful Highland seasoned attorneys have successfully resolved many victim cases involving mistreatment, neglect, and abuse in Illinois nursing facilities. Our attorneys can work on your behalf to ensure your family receives the financial compensation they deserve.
Sources:
http://bit.do/RILnursing-Highland-Healthcare-Center
http://www.covenantcare.com/Locations/Highland-Health-Care-Center/Facility-Home
