Pine Crest Health Care

It's a heartbreaking reality that nursing home staff members and other residents can abuse patients. Unfortunately, many victims of nursing home abuse and neglect are too vulnerable or intimidated to speak up about their abuse. This can make it difficult to identify abuse and take steps to stop it.

Some signs that your loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect include unexplained injuries, changes in mood or behavior, poor hygiene, and lack of food or water. If you believe your beloved family member is being abused or neglected, don't hesitate to speak up and get them the help they need.

Were you a victim of nursing home abuse while residing at Pine Crest Health Care? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC are legal advocates for nursing home residents victimized by caregivers, visitors, and other residents.

Contact our Cook County nursing home abuse attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Pine Crest Health Care

This facility is a 199-certified bed Medicare and Medicaid-approved for-profit nursing facility (not a continuing care retirement community) providing care and services to Cook County residents. Pine Crest Health Care is located at:

3300 175th St
Hazel Crest, IL 60429
(708) 335-2400
Website: https://pinecresthc.com/

Pine Crest Health Care provides care, services, and amenities, including:

• 24-hour nursing care
• Skilled nursing care
• Respite care
• Memory care
• Transitional care
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Psychiatric/mental health care
• Short-term rehabilitation
• Hospice/palliative care
• IV (intravenous) therapy
• Tube feeding
• Wound care
• Respiratory care
• Dual diagnoses care

Pine Crest Health Care Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) routinely updates their informational data on all nursing homes throughout the United States. The information reveals all:

• Violations
• Substandard quality measures
• Health inspection concerns
• Penalties and fines
• Facility-reported incidents
• Submitted complaints
• Failures to follow professional standards

Many families use this information to determine the best nearby nursing facilities when choosing the best facility to relocate loved ones requiring short-term or long-term care. The information also reveals any Special Focus Facility (SFF) in the community that fails to follow currently accepted professional principles at numerous levels when providing care.

Medicare uses a star rating system to reveal the overall rating of every nursing facility that accepts Medicare, including Pine Crest Healthcare. This facility currently maintains one out of five stars rating compared to all other facilities nationwide. The ratings include:

• Two out of five stars for health inspections
• One out of five stars for staffing issues
• Two out of five stars for quality measures

The Cook County personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC have reviewed dozens of health inspections, violations, and investigations concerning this nursing home and found serious concerns, including:

Failure to Ensure the Nursing Home Areas Free from Accident Hazards and Provides Adequate Supervision to Prevent Accidents – Deficiency #F0689

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated April 14, 2022, the state inspectors determined that this nursing home failed to "have effective and individualized all interventions for a resident who was assessed as a fall risk upon admission."

The staff also failed to "ensure that the resident's call light is within reach as indicated in her care plan." A review of the resident's complete care plan and record review of a recent progress note revealed that at 5:10 AM, the nursing home staff was alerted to the resident's room and observed the resident lying on the floor next to the bed.

The nursing home health care professionals noted a hematoma to the right forehead with no bleeding. The staff transferred the resident to the emergency room for an evaluation. The nursing home resident's documentation revealed that staff must have the call light within the patient's reach due to being at risk for falls because of poor visual acuity and diabetic conditions to the hands and feet.

Staff Violates Policies Allowing a Nursing Home Resident to Leave Unsupervised and Not Returning

In a separate summary statement of deficiencies dated March 21, 2022, the state inspectors determined that the nursing home failed to "adhere to the decisions documented by a resident's representative by allowing the nursing home resident to leave the facility with an unauthorized individual."

This failure by the nursing home nurses applies to one resident reviewed for "supervision and resulted in the resident leaving the facility without authorized supervision and not returning."

Failure to Protect Each Resident from All Types of Abuse Such as Physical, Mental, Sexual Abuse, Physical Punishment, and Neglect by Anybody – Deficiency #F0600

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated March 21, 2022, the state inspectors determined that Pine Crest Healthcare Nursing Home failed to "protect the resident from being abused by another resident with a known history of abuse toward other staff and peers."

The Hazel Crest nursing home deficiencies affected one patient "who was physically abused by another resident while walking into his room."

On March 15, 2022, just after noon, the nursing home patient told the investigators that on the day of the incident, he had purchased a soda for a lady and was heading back to the room when another resident "grabbed him from behind and threw him on the floor."

The injured nursing home patient stated he had never had a problem with that person before, but there was a time when the aggressive resident "grabbed a female resident and started choking her."

Nursing Staff Verbally Aggressive Toward A Resident

In a separate summary statement of deficiencies dated September 9, 2021, the state inspectors determined that the health care nursing home failed to keep a patient "free from abuse resulting in a staff member being verbally aggressive to the [patient] and making the resident feel afraid while being provided care."

Failure to Provide and Implement an Infection Prevention and Control Program – Deficiency #F0880

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated September 19, 2019, the state inspectors determined that the nursing home failed to "ensure an indwelling catheter tubing and drainage bag was not touching the floor to minimize the risk of infection."

At least five residents affected by the nurse's deficiencies were exposed to an elevated risk of infection.

In one incident, the licensed practical nurse providing resident care was shown a urinary tubing and catheter bag on the floor underneath the resident's bed. The LPN stated, "it is supposed to be hanging on the bed. I can get a dignity bag."

Appropriate Pressure Ulcer Care from Health Professionals Is Necessary for Residents Affected by Skin Breakdown

Pressure ulcers (bedsores, bed wounds, pressure wounds, pressure sores, decubitus ulcers) are a common and serious problem for people confined to bed rest or with limited mobility. Bedsores can develop when sustained pressure on the skin cuts off blood flow to the area, causing the tissue to break down. Left untreated, pressure ulcers can lead to serious infections and even death.

Nursing home staff members are responsible for maximizing a resident's health and well-being. This care prevents the development of pressure ulcers that are so common in assisted living facilities.

What Causes Pressure Ulcers?

Pressure ulcers are most commonly caused by sitting or lying in one position for extended periods. Immobility could be due to an injury, surgery, or a medical condition that limits movement. Other factors contributing to the development of pressure ulcers include poor nutrition, incontinence, and dry skin.

How to Prevent Pressure Ulcers

Nursing home facilities must train their staff on appropriate protocols and procedures to maximize a resident's health and prevent developing sores. Appropriate pressure ulcer care involves:

• Keep the skin clean and dry: Regularly wash the patient's skin with mild soap and dry the area. If the patient is incontinent, clean the soiled area immediately and apply a barrier cream if necessary.
• Inspect the skin daily: Check for redness, swelling, drainage, or other changes indicative of a pressure wound.
• Turn and reposition residents frequently: This helps to prevent pressure ulcers from developing.
• Use pressure-relieving devices: Mattresses, pillows, and other devices that help redistribute pressure can help reduce the risk of bedsores.
• Adjust the bed height: Make sure the resident's bed is comfortable so they're not in a position for long periods of time that could lead to bedsores.
• Provide adequate nutrition and hydration: A healthy diet helps keep skin healthy and reduces the likelihood of developing bedsores.
• Keep bedding clean and dry: Change sheets regularly and ensure the bed is always dry.
• Monitor intake and output: Ensure the patient drinks enough fluids and goes to the bathroom regularly.
• Manage incontinence: Use diapers or pads to protect the skin from moisture.
• Apply wound dressings as needed: Dressings help keep wounds clean and protected from infection.
• Avoid adhesive tape on fragile skin: If dressings need to be secured, use bandages rather than adhesive tape whenever possible.
• Remove any constrictive clothing or jewelry: These can cause pressure ulcers to form if left in place for too long.
• Report any changes in a resident's condition immediately: If you see any signs of a patient developing a pressure ulcer, report it to your supervisor immediately.

Why a Comprehensive Assessment is Necessary When Preventing Infections in Nursing Homes

According to the CDC, as many as one in 10 residents of nursing homes will develop at least one pressure ulcer during their stay. While most pressure ulcers are minor and heal quickly, some can become infected. A serious pressure ulcer infection can cause sepsis, which can be life-threatening.

Performing a comprehensive assessment of each resident's risk factors can minimize the potential risk of developing an infection. By identifying potential risk factors early on, nursing home facilities can take steps to mitigate those risks and help keep residents healthy.

An Implemented Infection Prevention and Control Program Can Create a Safer Nursing Home Environment

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing homes across the United States are still struggling with infection prevention and control program basics. From simple handwashing procedures to more comprehensive efforts like contact tracing, IPC programs are essential to keeping residents safe and preventing the spread of disease.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Programs Keep Residents Safe

IPC programs are designed to prevent the spread of infection and disease within a healthcare setting. While most nursing homes have some infection prevention and control program, many are not as comprehensive as they should be.

A nursing home IPC program must be standardized based on established protocols. The nursing staff must understand what procedures should be followed and when because when they are not, infections and diseases can easily spread within a facility.

Adequate Supervision Can Prevent Accidents

Accident hazards are a serious concern during a nursing home or hospital stay that can quickly undermine quality care, leading to a major injury. Many times, accidents are caused by a lack of supervision. For example, a common cause of falls is when residents try to get out of bed without help and lose their balance.

To prevent accidents, the nursing staff must be properly trained in providing adequate supervision. They should also be aware of the potential hazards in each patient's room and take steps to mitigate those risks.

In addition, nursing homes should have a policy for reporting accidents, which will help the facility identify potential hazards and make necessary changes to improve safety. Recognizing accident hazards in any nursing home area and preventing major injury requiring treatment, surgical intervention, or hospitalization.

The Use of Restraints Should be Minimized

While restraints can sometimes be necessary to keep residents safe, they should only be used as a last resort. When possible, other methods, such as verbal cues or redirecting residents to another activity, should be used instead.

If restraints are necessary, they should be removed as soon as the situation that led to their use has been resolved. The nursing staff should also regularly check on restrained residents to ensure they are comfortable and not distressed.

Proper Nutrition and Hydration are Essential for Resident Safety

One of the most important aspects of quality care is providing residents with adequate nutrition and hydration. When residents do not receive enough food or water, they can become dehydrated, leading to serious health problems.

Dehydration can cause confusion, dizziness, and even death. Nursing facilities should have the policy to ensure that all residents receive adequate nutrition and hydration, including regular meals, snacks, and fluids throughout the day.

In addition, the nursing home and the resident's doctor should have a plan for dealing with residents at risk for dehydration due to illness or other factors. For example, residents who are on diuretics or have diabetes may need to be closely monitored to ensure they receive enough fluids.

The Emotional Trauma of Verbal Abuse by Staff Members

No one should have to endure verbal abuse, least of all nursing home residents who are already vulnerable. Unfortunately, verbal abuse by nursing home staff members is a reality for many residents.

What Is Nursing Home Verbal Abuse?

Verbal abuse is any hurtful language directed at a nursing home resident by a staff member. Verbal abuse can be yelling, name-calling, cursing, threats, or degrading or insulting speech. Verbal abuse can also take the form of repeatedly talking down to a resident or belittling their concerns.

Sadly, verbal abuse is all too common. A National Center on Elder Abuse study found that nearly one in 10 nursing home residents had been verbally abused in the previous month.

Any verbal assault can cause serious psychological harm to elderly victims, including anxiety, depression, fearfulness, social withdrawal, and decreased self-esteem. In some cases, verbal abuse can lead to physical harm if the victim becomes agitated or withdrawn and stops eating or taking their medications.

How To Recognize Nursing Home Verbal Abuse

It's important to be on the lookout for signs of verbal abuse, including:

• Sudden changes in mood or personality
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Increased agitation or hostility
• Unexplained bruises or marks on the face or body
• Unwillingness to speak in front of certain staff members
• Fearfulness around certain staff members

If you notice any of these signs, it's important to talk to your beloved family member about what's happening and see if they are comfortable talking to the nursing home staff about the issue. You may also consider speaking to an attorney from our law offices specializing in nursing home abuse cases.

Hire Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers to Resolve Your Personal Injury Lawsuit

Do you suspect your loved one was abused or neglected while residing at Pine Crest Health Care Nursing Home or another Illinois long-term care facility? The nursing home abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help hold the health professionals responsible for damages.

Talk to our Chicago, IL law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Our personal injury attorneys accept all nursing home abuse cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee agreement. This arrangement ensures you will pay no upfront fees until your legal team obtains financial recovery through a negotiated settlement or jury award.

Resources:

• CDC – Long-Term Care Facility Rules
• MayoClinic - About UTI