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Any medication error in a nursing facility could cause serious adverse reactions to the resident and alter their health and well-being. Because of that, state and federal nursing home regulatory agencies provide detailed guidelines on the administering of medications that must be strictly followed at all times. Unfortunately, the West Chicago elder abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have handled many cases where residents have suffered serious injury or wrongful death after receiving the wrong medication, the wrong dosage or no medication when it was prescribed by their physician.
West Chicago Terrace Nursing Home
West Chicago Terrace Nursing Home is a 120-certified bed for profit Medicaid-accepted nursing facility providing services to residents of West Chicago and DuPage County. The facility is located at:
928 Joliet Road
West Chicago, Illinois 60185
(630) 231-9292
West Chicago Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
The federal government and state of Illinois routinely update the nursing home databases to provide families the most current information on facilities throughout the United States. Recently opened investigations, filed complaints, safety concerns and health violations are posted on numerous websites including Medicare.gov.
Currently, West Chicago Terrace Nursing Home maintains an overall two out of five available star rating in the national star rating summary system. The rating includes five out of five stars for quality measures, two out of five stars for health inspections and one out of five stars for staffing issues. Our West Chicago nursing home neglect attorneys have found numerous complaints and safety concerns involving this facility that include:
- Failure to Maintain a Medication Error Rate of Less Than 5% by Not Administering the Wrong Drug, Wrong Dose, the Right Drug at the Wrong Time
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 07/30/2015, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility's failure to "administer medications as ordered.” The state investigator noted that there “were 28 opportunities with two errors resulting in a 7.14% error rate.” The failure by the nursing staff at West Chicago Terrace Nursing Home affected two residents at the facility during a medication pass.
One incident was first documented at 8:35 AM on 07/20/2015 when a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) “was observed for medication pass.” The LPN “administered nine oral medications to [a resident].” However, a review of the physician’s orders caused the state surveyor to interview the facility’s Director of Nursing 35 minutes later at 9:10 AM who “was interview for clarification of the order of Sodium Chloride.” The Director of Nursing reviewed the omission of providing the oral medication with the LPN that had been added to the resident’s physician’s orders on 06/29/2015.
The state investigator reviewed the resident’s July 2015 MAR (Medication Administration Record) that showed “the order was not transcribed on the MAR.” The Director of Nursing “clarified a previous order of Potassium Chloride was discontinued and was changed to Sodium Chloride on 06/29/2015. This order for sodium chloride one gram, oral three times daily was not transcribed in the [resident’s MAR (Medication Administration Record)].”
- Failure to Provide Specialized Rehabilitation Services per the Patient’s Assessment or Plan of Care
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 07/30/2015, the state investigator also noted the facility’s failure “to provide specialized services indicated in the resident’s Readmission Screening and Annual Resident Review and Care Plan.”
A state investigator reviewed the resident’s 06/24/2015 Strength, Deficit and Priority Needs Summary that documented the resident “showed poor program involvement and [the resident also] scored three out of a possible five and on involvement in treatment planning. Involvement was documented as one of the top five treatment priorities for [the resident and the resident’s Care Plan] showed a problem [with] focus.” The document also revealed that the resident’s “comprehensive assessment indicated that her emotional well-being will be enhanced by engaging in structural rehabilitative and/or vocational programming.”
However, upon observation, it was noted at 10:15 AM on 07/27/2015 that the resident “was in bed and stated she does not talk to her roommate and stays in bed every day until she leaves for home when [her] mother father [arrive to] pick her up.” Again at 10:15 AM on 07/27/2015 the resident was observed to be awake and the following morning at 9:23 AM was asleep” and not participating or interacting with others. A review of the resident’s 06/01/2015 through 07/24/2015 Life Skills Group schedule shows that the resident “was supposed to attend the group every Thursday and Friday. The tenant sheets show [the resident] was present on only one day, 06/11/2015.”
West Chicago Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you suspect your loved one has suffered serious injury or wrongful that due to a medication error while residing in any nursing facility in Illinois, including West Chicago Terrace Nursing Home, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can assist you in obtaining the financial compensation you and your family deserve. Our DuPage County elder abuse attorneys can ensure your rights are protected while holding all those responsible for your injuries financially and legally responsible.
We urge you to contact our West Chicago nursing home abuse law firm of (888) 424-5757 to speak with one of our attorneys on the merits of your claim. No upfront fees or payments are required because we accept all personal injury cases on contingency.
