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Both the state of Illinois and the federal government require nursing facilities to take appropriate measures to reduce their medication error rates to ensure the health and well-being of every resident. Despite the requirements, medication mistakes frequently occur due to a lack of staff training, minimal oversight by supervisors and a failure to develop and implement effective policies to reduce drug administering errors. Sadly, the Palatine elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have represented many residents who have suffered a serious change in their medical condition due to mistakes made by nurses administering their medication.
Any failure to use acceptable professional standards when administering medication can produce catastrophic results. Failing to follow manufacturer’s instructions and physician’s orders can produce dire consequences that cause serious injury or claim the life of the resident. Common medication errors occurring in nursing facilities include:
- Lab work mistakes
- Administering expired drugs
- Administering the wrong drug or the wrong strength
- Crushing or slicing drugs that cannot be altered
- Overmedicating the resident or administering multiple doses of the drug
Aperion Care Plum Grove
Aperion Care Plum Grove is a 69-certified bed Medicare/Medicaid-participating for profit facility providing nursing services to residents of Palatine and Cook County. The facility is located at:
24 S. Plum Grove Rd.
Palatine, Illinois 60067
(847) 358-0311
In addition to offering skilled nursing, Aperion Care Plum Grove provides short term rehabilitation, long term living, and psychiatric rehabilitation. Their rehabilitation program options include:
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Orthopedic and joint replacement program
- Cardiac rehab
- Stroke rehab
- Pain management
Palatine Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
In accordance with federal and state laws, nursing home regulatory agencies continuously update their databases to reflect currently opened investigations, safety concerns, health violations and filed complaints involving facilities nationwide. The updated information is posted on numerous online websites including Medicare.gov using a star rating summary system to help families better evaluate the level of care each nursing facility provides.
Currently, Aperion Care Plum Grove maintains a one out of five available star rating compared to other facilities throughout the United States. This includes three out of five stars for quality measures, two out of five stars for health concerns and one out of five stars for staffing issues. Our Palatine nursing home neglect attorneys have reviewed the facility’s records and found numerous safety concerns that include:
- Failure to Minimize the Rate of Medication Errors Including Giving Resident’s the Wrong Drug, Wrong Dose of the Right Medication at the Wrong Time
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/25/2015, a state surveyor made a notation during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility's failure to "administer medications as ordered. There were 28 opportunities with three errors [that resulted in] a 10.71% error rate.”
The failure by the nursing staff at Aperion Care Plum Grove was first documented during an observation of the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at 4:00 PM on 06/22/2015 who “was preparing medication” for a resident at the facility who had a physician’s order to receive 100 milligrams per milliliter of their medication in a medicine cup. However, during the observation, the LPN said, “I ran out of medication, there is only 12 milliliters of the medication here, and the order says 15 milliliters.” At that point, the LPN proceeded to give the resident their medication via a gastronomy tube.”
The state investigator noted that the resident had physician’s orders to receive 15 milliliters via their gastronomy “two times a day related to other convulsions.” Upon review of the facility’s 06/22/2015 Orders – Administration Note revealed that the Licensed Practical Nurse did not record that the medication was not available. In addition, “the progress note lacks documentation to show what medication was not available, or that [the resident’s] physician had been notified about [the resident] not receiving the ordered dosage” as prescribed by the physician.
- Failure to Ensure That Residents Are Safe from Serious Medication Errors
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/25/2015, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility's failure to "ensure that a resident is free from significant medication errors by not administering medications as ordered by the physician.”
The state investigator noted that the actions of the Licensed Practical Nurse and their failure to follow the physician’s orders violated the facility’s 01/01/2015 policy titled Medication Pass: Process and Procedure that reads in part: “if a medication is not administered, then the licensed nurse will: a. Enter initials in medication space allocated for the medication [...and] c. Provide written rationale regarding why the medication was not given or refused and the designated area on the MAR (Medication Administration Record) [...and] d. Notify the physician when indicated.”
Palatine Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you suspect that your loved one has suffered injuries through a medication error while residing in any Illinois nursing facility including Aperion Care Plum Grove, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can provide legal assistance. Our team of reputable Cook County elder abuse attorneys can protect your loved one’s rights from harm and provide various legal options on how to seek and receive the financial compensation you deserve.
We urge you to contact our Palatine Illinois nursing home abuse law firm today by calling (888) 424-5757 to schedule your free, initial consultation. We accept all personal injury claims for recompense through contingency fee arrangements, so no upfront payment is required.
