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The spread of infection can easily occur in a nursing home if the staff members fail to follow established procedures and protocols including washing their hands when providing care. To ensure every resident’s safety, the nursing facility is required to establish and maintain an effective infection control program designed to prevent the spread of infection throughout the facility. Unfortunately, the Plainfield elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have represented many residents who have suffered injuries caused by preventable infections due to a lack of quality care.
In addition to not providing adequate training to ensure that the nursing staff follows infection control measures, many facilities failed to employ adequate staff members to ensure resident safety. Without appropriate measures, contamination and infection can easily run rampant through the facility. The simple lack of ensuring that all nursing staff routinely wash their hands between resident visits can have a positive effect at diminishing the threat of infection.
Lakewood Nursing and Rehabilitation CenterLakewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 131-certified bed for profit Medicare/Medicaid-participating nursing facility providing services to residents of Plainfield and Will County, Illinois. The facility is located at:
14716 S. Eastern Ave.
Plainfield, Illinois 60544
(815) 436-3400
In addition to providing around-the-clock nursing care, Lakewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center also provides:
- Short-term rehabilitation
- Wound care
- Respite care
- Hospice care
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
In an effort to keep the public fully informed about nursing facilities throughout the United States, the federal government and the state of Illinois routinely update their databases to include newly opened investigations, safety concerns, health violations and filed complaints. The updated information is then posted on numerous sites including Medicare.gov.
Currently, Lakewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center maintains an overall four out of five available star rating compared to other facilities nationwide. This includes four out of five stars for health concerns, and two out of five stars for both quality measures and staffing issues. However, our Plainfield nursing home neglect attorneys have uncovered numerous safety concerns involving this facility that include:
- Failure to Provide Every Resident Proper Services to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Care to Restore Normal Bladder Function
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 04/16/2015, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure “to provide incontinent care and catheter according to the facility policy to prevent contamination and prevent infections.” The deficient practice by the nursing staff at Lakewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center applied to three residents at the facility.
One failure was first noted at 10:50 AM 04/15/2015 when two Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) were performing peritoneal incontinent care on a resident. “During this care, one (CNA) wiped the cleanser and did not clean their urethral opening nor the catheter at the point where comes out of the urethra. Subsequently [the CNA] used an alcohol wipe to clean the surface of the catheter and did not wipe the catheter all the way to the urethral opening.”
As a part of the investigation, the state surveyor reviewed the resident’s records that revealed the resident “is not able to and requires two persons to assist with bed mobility and physical assistance to perform incontinence care.” Additional information found in the facility’s Infection Control Log – Lakewood for 12 months between 03/31/2014 and 03/31/2015 revealed that the resident “had a urinary tract infection found on 03/09/2015 and another on 02/20/2015.”
The investigator noted that the deficient practice by the nursing staff at the facility failed to follow the facility’s policy and procedure title: Catheter Care, Urinary that reads in part:
“Use a washcloth with warm water and soap to cleanse the labia. Use one area of the washcloth for each downward stroke. Next, change the position of the washcloth and cleanse around the urethral meatus (opening).”
- Failure to Develop, Implement, and Enforce Programs That Investigates, Controls and Keeps Infection from Spreading
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 04/16/2015, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure “to follow infection control policy during and following the provision of care for [2 residents at the facility].”
One failure was first noted on 04/13/2015 during a tour of the facility with the MDS Coordinator where a Certified Nursing Assistant “was observed twice exiting and reentering the room of [a resident] who is in contact isolation for MRSA [Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus – a highly contagious infection], after removing her protective covering without washing her hands on both occasions.”
If your loved one has suffered a facility-acquired infection while residing at any Illinois nursing facility, including Lakewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can hold the facility accountable for their negligence. Our Will County elder abuse attorneys can ensure that your loved one receives the highest level of care and can assist your family and obtain the financial compensation you deserve for your damages. Our law firm has access to all necessary resources and the comprehensive understanding of Illinois tort laws to ensure a successful resolution to your compensatory claim.
We urge you to contact our Plainfield Illinois nursing home abuse law firm today at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free, no-obligation, confidential case evaluation. You pay no fees until we win your case at trial or negotiate an acceptable out of court settlement on your behalf.
http://lakewoodnursingcenter.com/
