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Every incident involving abuse, mistreatment, harm, injury or neglect must be immediately reported to the Illinois long-term care facility’s Administrator and appropriate state agencies including the Department of Public Health. Investigating and reporting provide the opportunity for a comprehensive investigation of exactly what happened. Quick action and filing a report with the state agency can ensure the protection of the resident from further harm, abuse or mistreatment. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes, assisted living centers and long-term care facilities follow the established procedures and protocols, which is often detrimental to the health of the resident. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers represent abused and injured residents of Illinois long-term care (LTC) homes like Highview Terrace.
Highview Terrace
This LTC Center provides cares and services to residents of Paris and Edgar County, Illinois. The 16-certified-bed Long-Term Care Home is located at:
409 N. High St.
Paris, IL 61944
(217) 463-1809
Paris LTC Home Resident Safety Concerns
The Illinois government LTC home regulatory agency routinely updates their nursing facility database system. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH – ltc.dph.illinois.gov) data contains a comprehensive list of opened investigations, filed complaints, dangerous hazards, health violations, safety concerns, and incident inquiries of every facility in each county. Many families use this information to make an informed decision before placing a loved one into a long-term care facility to ensure they are provided the highest level of hygiene assistance and health/medical care.
The Edgar County neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have reviewed serious safety concerns, violations and deficiencies at this long-term care facility that include:
- Failure to Ensure Residents Are Free of Unnecessary and Unauthorized Physical Restraints
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 11/19/2015, a state surveyor noted the facility’s failure to “ensure the Specially Constituted Committee reviewed, approved and is monitoring the use of restrictive measures for [a resident] requires the use of a bed rail.”
The deficient practice was first noted in the state investigator’s findings after a comprehensive record review, interviews and observations made at the facility. After reviewing a resident’s 10/25/2015 Physician Order Sheet (POS) revealing that the resident “functions at a Mild Intellectual Disability Level,” and has been diagnosed with “Cerebral Palsy, Osteoporosis, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, and Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.” A review of the resident’s 07/20/2015 Behavior Management/Residents Rights Committee revealed that the resident “does not have any restrictive measures listed.”
During a drug review, it was revealed that the resident “has a Consent for Restrictive Measures dated 06/15/2015 [...and that the resident] gave consent to use a bed rail on her bed as a handle to help her move up and down in the bed and to sit up when getting up.” During an interview with the facility’s Quality Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP) during the late afternoon of 11/18/2015, the professional “was asked did you have the Specially Constituted Committee review and approve [the resident’s] bed rails?” The QIDP responded “No, I didn’t think we needed to.” The state investigator reminded the facility of state law that includes:
“The [Specially Constituted] Committee should review, approve, and monitor individual programs designed to manage inappropriate behavior and other programs that, in the opinion of the committee, involve risks to client protection and rights.”
- Failure to Notify Appropriate State Agencies of an Incident Involving a Resident Injury Requiring Emergency Room Services
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 01/09/2015, the state investigator noted during the inspection of care that the facility failed to “notify the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) of an Emergency Room (ER) visit for [a resident] who required the services of the ER.”
During a review of the facility’s August 2014 Incident Reports, it was revealed that “on 08/08/2014, [the resident] was transported to the ER from the day training site after she cut her thumb on a broken light bulb for treatment.” The investigator noted that there “is no evidence that IDPH was notified of [the resident’s] 08/08/2014 ER visit for treatment of her thumb injury.”
The state event then conducted an interview with the facility’s Administrator just after noon on 01/07/2014.” The Administrator was asked “if this 08/08/2014 ER visit for [the resident] was reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health.” The Administrator replied, “No, must have been overlooked.” The Administrator and the facility were reminded that they:
“Must ensure that all allegations of mistreatment, neglect or abuse, as well as injuries of unknown source, are reported immediately to the Administrator or to other officials in accordance with State law through established procedures.”
Paris Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you, or your family, believe that your loved one was victimized by employees, caregivers, visitors or other residents at Highview Terrace, call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today. Let our knowledgeable Paris attorneys file and successfully resolve your mistreatment, neglect or abuse case that happened in an Illinois nursing home.
We urge you to contact our Edgar 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. Make no upfront payment for our legal services because our fees are paid only after we have successfully resolved your case by winning at trial or by negotiating an acceptable out of court settlement on your behalf.
Sources:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6010359FIK11192015.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6010359FIK01092015.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6010359FI02212014.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6010359FI11172011.PDF
