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Some residents in nursing facilities require percutaneous nephrostomy care where a tube is inserted to the resident’s skin directly into their kidney to allow urine to flow freely. The procedure is often used when the resident’s ureter is blocked by kidney stones or tumors or there is a whole in the bladder or ureter allowing urine to leak from the body. Unfortunately, not all nurses are provided adequate training to ensure that the health and well-being of the resident are safeguarded against improper care. Sadly, the St. Louis elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have represented many residents who have suffered unnecessarily by the negligent actions of the nursing staff.
While a nephrostomy is typically a safe procedure, there are numerous risks involved including infection, bleeding and a reaction to anesthesia. Major complications often involve a mild infection that can diminish to life-threatening septicemia, hemorrhages, delayed bleeding, blocked kidney arteries or a significant loss of kidney tissue function. Nearly all risks can be avoided if the nursing staff follows established procedures and protocols and directive guidelines by the resident’s physician. Any failure to do so could place the health and well-being of the resident in immediate jeopardy.
Little Sisters of the PoorLittle Sisters of the Poor is a 67-certified bed Medicaid-participating nonprofit church -related nursing facility providing services to residents of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri and St. Clair County, Illinois. The facility is located at:
3225 N. Florissant Ave.
St. Louis, Missouri 63107
(314) 421-6022
The Little Sisters reside at the home to provide 24-hour care. Senior Living options include Senior apartments, independent living, and intermediate nursing care.
St. Louis Nursing Home Resident Safety ConcernsIn an effort to provide the latest information on nursing facilities throughout the United States, both federal and state agencies routinely update their databases to reflect recently filed complaints, safety concerns, health violations and opened investigations. The updated information can be found on numerous state and federal online sites including Medicare.gov.
Currently, Little Sisters of the Poor – St. Louis maintains an overall five out of five available star rating compared to all other nursing homes nationwide. This includes five out of five stars for staffing issues, four out of five stars for health concerns and three out of five stars for quality measures. However, our St. Louis nursing home neglect attorneys have found a serious deficiency involving this facility that includes:
- Failure to Provide Every Resident Services That Meet Professional Standards of Quality
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 12/17/2015, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility's failure to ensure all physician’s orders were followed. The investigation involved a resident who had bladder incontinence due to a hypertonic bladder (failure of the bladder to empty completely) after a recent hospital stay and the placement of a nephrostomy tube (or a tube is inserted directly into the resident’s kidney to allow drainage of urine).
A review of the resident’s 12/09/2015 Care Plan showed that the resident “can sterile urinate, but must empty bag each shift, dressing over the tube at all times, observe urine to make sure it is clear yellow.” The documentation also shows that the goal “will be continent during waking hours to the next 90 days, nephrostomy tube will drain clear yellow urine at all times [with interventions that include dressing to the left side, over nephrostomy tube at all times, check nephrostomy bag and empty every shift, noting color and consistency of your, should be clear yellow.”
The state investigator noted that upon review of the resident’s November 2015 TAR (Treatment Administration Record) revealed of the staff did not always flush or aspirate the resident’s tube and on numerous dates initialed the document and circled their initials though there was no explanation as to why the initial circle.
An interview was conducted by the state surveyor with a nurse providing the resident care at 11:05 AM on 12/16/2015 who said that “the resident’s urine was always clear, so the flush and aspiration was not being done.”
The investigator interviewed the facility’s Director of Nurses at 11:55 AM on 12/16/2015 who said that “nursing staff should have contacted the resident’s physician to clarify the orders and care and flushes for the nephrostomy when [the resident was readmitted to the facility]. When nursing staff circles their initials on the TAR (Treatment Administration Record), it meant they did not provide the treatment. Staff should document on the back of the TAR; the reason the treatment was not provided.”
If your loved one has been injured by substandard care provided by the staff at Little Sisters of the Poor, or any nursing facility, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can take legal action to stop the harm now. Our St. Clair County elder abuse attorneys can begin the process of obtaining the financial compensation you are entitled to receive.
To ensure that your case comes to a successful result, we encourage you to contact our St. Louis Missouri nursing home abuse law firm and (888) 424-5757 today to schedule a no obligation, free case evaluation. We accept all wrongful death lawsuits, nursing home neglect cases and personal injury claims for compensation through contingency fee arrangements, so no upfront payment is necessary.
