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Any infection of a resident in a nursing facility could jeopardize their health and well-being. Because of that, the nursing staff is required to provide care in accordance with established procedures and protocols, especially to residents who need a higher level of care, such as those who require an indwelling urinary catheter. Any failure to follow protocols could cause a serious life-threatening infection. Unfortunately, the Woodstock elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have handled many cases where residents suffered preventable infections and injuries caused by the negligent actions of the nursing staff.
Valley Hi Nursing HomeValley Hi Nursing Home is a government county owned, Medicare/Medicaid-approved 128-certified bed nursing facility providing services to residents of Woodstock and McHenry County, Illinois. The Center is located at:
2406 Hartland Rd.
Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-0312
In addition to providing round-the-clock skilled nursing care, Valley Hi Nursing Home also offers:
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapies
- Wound therapy
- Pastoral care and counseling
Many families gather information from state and federal nursing home websites before placing a loved one in a facility who requires the highest level of health and hygiene care. Because of that, the state of Illinois and the federal government routinely update their databases to reflect the history of opened investigations, filed complaints, health violations and safety concerns at every facility nationwide. The results can be found on Medicare.gov.
Currently, Valley Hi Nursing Home maintains an overall four out of five available star rating in the national Medicare star rating summary system. This includes four out of five stars for health inspections, three out of five stars for staffing issues and two out of five stars for quality measures. However, our Woodstock elder abuse attorneys have found numerous safety concerns involving this facility that include:
- Failure to Provide Adequate Services to Residents to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 02/24/2016, the state investigator noted the facility’s failure “to ensure the urinary catheter tubing was below the level of the bladder during a mechanical lift transfer.” The investigator also noted the facility’s failure “to provide complete perineal care to two residents incontinent of urine.”
In one incident, a Certified Nursing Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse were observed at 10:20 AM on 02/23/2016 while transferring a resident “using a mechanical lift.” The Certified Nursing Assistant attached the resident’s “urinary catheter tubing on the top metal hook of the mechanical lift over [the resident’s] head [...and] lifted [the resident] using a mechanical lift.” During the transfer, the resident stated, “Ouch, my testicle.” The investigator noted that the actions of the nursing staff at Valley Hi Nursing Home enforced by nursing home regulatory agencies and the facility’s 2008 Indwelling Catheter Policy that reads in part:
“Catheter tubing and drainage bags are positioned to facility continuous flow.”
- Failure to Ensure That Every Resident Is Free from Accident Hazards and Risks and Provide Adequate Supervision to Prevent Avoidable Accidents
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 02/24/2016, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility's failure to "use a gait belt to transfer a resident safely to the toilet.” The incident involved a Certified Nursing Assistant at the facility observed at 4:40 PM on 02/21/2016 transferring a resident “to the toilet. She did not use a gait belt to put her on the toilet or to get her off the toilet.”
The investigator interviewed a registered nurse at the facility the following morning at 9:01 AM who stated that “yes, they [the nursing staff] should use a gait belt to transfer [the resident].” The Certified Nursing Assistant providing the resident care was interviewed on 02/23/2016 at 8:30 AM who stated that the resident “is a two-person transfer with a gait belt. She always has a gait belt in case she loses her balance.”
The investigator reviewed the resident’s 01/04/2016 MDS (Minimum Data Set) that revealed that the resident “is an extensive assist for two-person transfers.” The resident’s 01/07/2016 Care Plan revealed of the resident is “able to ambulate short distances with a walker and assist at times, but not safely as she drops for no apparent reason.” The investigator noted that the actions of the staff at the nursing home failed to follow the facility’s undated policy titled: Transfer and Positioning Policy that reads in part:
“Gait Belts: Staff must use a gait belt in all transfers and ambulation unless the assessments state the resident is independent. Gate belts are not an option, it is our policy to use them for your safety and the safety of our residents.”
If your loved one has suffered harm or neglect or mistreatment while residing at any Illinois nursing facility, including Valley Hi Nursing Home, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help. Our McHenry County elder abuse attorneys can take immediate steps to ensure your loved one’s health is maintained while at the facility and handle the entire process of obtaining the financial recovery your family deserves.
To successfully resolve your case for compensation, contact our Woodstock Illinois nursing home abuse law firm today at (888) 424-5757 to speak with our attorneys about your case in a no obligation, free consultation. No upfront payment is required because we accept all nursing home neglect cases through contingency fee agreements.
https://www.co.mchenry.il.us/county-government/departments-j-z/valley-hi-nursing-home
