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To minimize the spread of infection in nursing facilities, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing aides are required to follow procedures and protocols that limit exposure to highly contagious diseases, infections, bacteria, and viruses. Unfortunately, not all nursing facilities provide adequate training to ensure these protocols are constantly met through monitoring and supervision. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provide legal representation to patients who have been harmed by preventable infections while residing in Illinois skilled nursing homes like Hitz Memorial Home.
Hitz Memorial Home
This Center is a church-affiliated ‘not for profit’ 59-certified-bed facility providing nursing services and cares to residents of Alhambra and Madison County, Illinois. The Medicare / Medicaid-accepted Nursing Home is located at:
201 Belle Street
Alhambra, Il 62001
(618) 488-2355
In addition to providing skilled nursing care, Hitz Memorial Home also offers physical, occupational and speech rehabilitation services along with independent Senior living options.
Alhambra Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
Family members can visit Medicare.gov to obtain a complete list of all filed complaints, safety concerns, health violations and opened investigations that is routinely updated by the state of Illinois and the federal government. This information can be used to make a well-informed decision of which nursing facilities in the community by the highest level of care.
Currently, Hitz Memorial Home maintains an overall five out of five available star rating in the Medicare rating analysis system compared to all other facilities nationwide. This includes five out of five stars for quality measures and four out of five stars for staffing concerns and health inspections. The Madison County nursing home neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have found various safety concerns, violations and deficiencies at this nursing facility that include:
- Failure to Ensure Residents Remain Free from Unauthorized Physical Restraints
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 09/17/2015, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility's failure to "thoroughly assess the risk versus benefits for the use of side rails for [two residents at the facility].” The deficient practice by the nursing staff involved a resident who was severely impaired cognitive and required “limited assistance of one staff member for bed mobility.”
The state investigator reviewed the resident’s 09/11/2015 Side Rail Assessment that reads in part “does the side rail help the resident rise from a supine position to a sitting position and/or standing position? No. Is there a risk to the resident if side rails are used? … No. Do the side rail alternative/interventions create more risks that side rails use?” The following question had no documented answer.
An observation was made of the resident on the afternoon of 09/14/2015 “lying in bed with bilateral half rails raised at the head of the bed.” Again on the following morning at 8:44 AM, the resident “was lying in bed with bilateral half rails raised at the head of the bed.”
The state investigator interviewed the facility’s Care Plan/MDS Coordinator who stated “the staff uses the side rails to hold the pillow behind [the resident’s] back for positioning. [The resident] has never had an injury involving the side rails so there is no risk.”
An interview was then conducted with the facility Administrator, Director of Nurses and Assistant Director of Nurses on the morning of 09/17/2015 who all stated “[the resident] has never been properly assessed for the risk versus benefits for the use of side rails.
- Failure to Follow Procedures and Protocols to Prevent Cross-Contamination and the Spread of Infection in the Facility
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 09/17/2015, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure to “change gloves to prevent cross-contamination” involving residents “reviewed for infection control.”
An observation was made on the morning of 09/15/2015 of a Registered Nurse providing care to a resident. The nurse “donned the gloves, removed the old dressing from [the resident’s] left hip, cleanse the wound with wound cleanser, applied Santyl to the wound and then cover the wound with a new island dressing. With the same gloves, [the RN] removed the dressing on the coccyx, clean the wound with wound cleanser, remove gloves and wash hands [before donning] new gloves and finished the treatment.”
The investigator noted that the actions of the registered nurse failed to follow the facility’s 12/20/2011 Handwashing Policy and Procedure that reads in part:
“After giving resident care, remove soiled gloves, wash hands and put on new gloves prior to continuing care.”
Alhambra Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you suspect your loved one is being abused while residing at Hitz Memorial Home, call the Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers law offices now. Our experienced, reputable Alhambra attorneys provide victims of nursing home abuse, neglect or mistreatment the legal representation they need against all those who caused them harm. Our law firm can provide your family numerous legal options on how to proceed to obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
We urge you to contact our Madison County elder abuse law office at (888) 424-5757. Schedule your appointment today to speak with one of our experienced lawyers for your free comprehensive case review. There is no need to make an upfront payment because we accept all nursing home claims for compensation on contingency.
Sources:
http://bit.do/RILnursing-Hitz-Memorial-Home
http://hitzmemorial.com.s60758.gridserver.com/
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6004501FIK09172015.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6004501FI08212014.PDF
