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The spread of infection in a nursing home or hospital could be detrimental to every patient/resident in the facility. Because of that, the nursing staff is required to follow established procedures and protocols that minimize any potential spread of contaminants, infections, bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, residents are often needlessly exposed to serious contaminants that jeopardize their health and well-being. Sadly, the Jacksonville elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have handled many cases where the individual’s health was compromised or they died prematurely due to the reckless actions of the nursing staff.
Passavant Area Hospital
Passavant Area Hospital is a 15-certified bed “not-for-profit” Medicare-accepting facility providing nursing services to residents of Jacksonville and Morgan County, Illinois. The hospital is located at:
1600 West Walnut St.
Jacksonville, IL 62650
(217) 245-9541
In addition to providing around-the-clock skilled nursing and emergency services, the facility also provides cardiac care, rehabilitation services, and wound care.
Jacksonville Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
Many families review the database systems updated by the federal government and state of
Illinois to determine the level of care every nursing facility provides in their community. The results of online searches can be found on numerous sites including Medicare.gov.
Currently, Passavant Area Hospital maintains an overall four out of five available star rating in the national Medicare star rating summary system. This includes five out of five stars for health inspections and staffing issues. Our Jacksonville nursing home neglect attorneys have found serious deficiencies involving this hospital that include:
- Failure to Provide a Level of Care to Ensure the Resident’s Highest Well-Being
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 12/04/2015, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the TCU (Transitional Care Unit) failure to "develop Interim Care Plans with interventions to reflect the needs of residents.” The deficient practice by the nursing staff at Passavant Area Hospital affected four residents “reviewed for care planning.”
One incident involved a review of a resident’s 11/23/2015 Admission Assessment that documents that the resident “was admitted to the TCU on 11/23/2015 with a diagnosis of cellulitis of abdominal wall abscess with the removal of abdominal tissue (abdominal wound).” Upon admittance, the resident had a PICC Line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter – Intravenous access for long-term use) and abdominal dressing with continuous wound VAC (wound suction system).”
The resident’s 11/24/2015 Physician Order Sheet (POS) documents that the resident’s “PICC Line and abdominal dressing changes (three times weekly) and continuous wound VAC were to be continued.” The resident’s 12/03/2015 Treatment and Progress Notes documents that the resident “continues to have the PICC Line for antibiotic infusions and the abdominal dressing with a wound VAC.” However, the unit nurse manager stated in the afternoon of 12/03/2015 that the resident’s “Care Plan did not address the wound or the PICC Line and the Care Plan should have addressed these issues.”
It was also noted that the resident’s 11/18/2015 Interim Care Plan “failed to document interventions for the problems listed in the Interim Care Plan.” The investigator also noted that the resident’s 11/13/2015 Physician Order Sheet (POS) documents that the resident “has a history of falls and altered mental status.”
The Unit Nurse Manager stated on the afternoon of 12/02/2015 that “there are many interventions put into place on each resident [...and] stated that in the example of the [resident’s] falls, the facility had done a Fall Risk Assessment [... but] verified that these interventions were not documented in the Interim Care Plans. The investigator noted that the actions by the nursing staff failed to follow the facility’s 09/20/2010 Patient Care Plans Policy that reads in part:
“A patient-specific action list will be developed on admission to ensure that the resident’s immediate care needs are met and maintained.”
- Failure to Provide Every Resident an Environment Free from the Spread of Infection
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 11/13/2014, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure to “clean and disinfect the glucose monitoring device before and after use to prevent the spread of infection for [four residents] reviewed for blood glucose monitoring.”
An observation was made on the afternoon of 11/12/2014 when a lab personnel staff member “arrived on the transitional care unit to check blood glucose on seven residents.” At that time, the lab personnel “took the glucose monitoring device from her laboratory supply carrier [...and] proceeded to take blood glucose levels using a blood glucose monitoring device for seven residents.”
At that time, the lab personnel “clean the glucose monitoring device with an alcohol white before and after each resident but did not use a solution of1:10 dilution of sodium hypochlorite that is needed to prevent the spread of Clostridium difficile [C. diff] as documented in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Transmittal 55, dated 12/02/2009.”
Jacksonville Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you suspect your loved one has developed a facility-acquired infection or has been harmed, injured or neglected while residing at any Illinois facility including Passavant Area Hospital, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can help. Our Jacksonville nursing home abuse attorneys can work on your behalf to obtain the financial compensation your loved one deserves.
Contact our Morgan County elder abuse law offices today by calling (888) 424-5757 for a no-obligation free initial case consultation. No upfront fees are necessary.
Sources
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6015234FI12042015.PDF
https://www.passavanthospital.com/
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6015234FI11132014.PDF
