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Many Illinois nursing home patients require heavy doses of anticoagulant medications due to a medical condition, post-surgery, rehabilitation or another factor. Because of that, the nursing staff must closely monitor the use of warfarin and other anticoagulant drugs to ensure that the patient does not develop a drug interaction, INR response, dietary interaction or another risk factor that could claim their life. Unfortunately, not all nursing facilities train their nursing staff to follow procedures and protocols or the patient’s Plan of Care to ensure they are receiving treatment, cares, and services that ensure their safety and well-being. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers represent nursing home residents who have been mistreated, abused or neglected in Illinois skilled nursing facilities like White Oak Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.
White Oak Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center
This Nursing Center is a 65-certified-bed ‘for profit’ Home providing services to residents of Mount Vernon and Jefferson County, Illinois. The Medicare/Medicaid-accepted Nursing Facility is located at:
1700 White Street
Mount Vernon, Il 62864
(618) 242-4075
As a part of the Peterson Health Care System, White Oak Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center offers its patients Alzheimer’s care, skilled care, memory care and the Peterson’s Pathways Rehabilitation Program.
Mount Vernon Nursing Home Resident Safety Concerns
To be fully informed on the level of care all nursing homes provide, families routinely research the Medicare.gov database system for a complete list of safety concerns, filed complaints, opened investigations and health violations. This information provides valuable content to make a well-informed decision of where to place a loved one who requires a high level of health care and hygiene assistance.
Currently, White Oak Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center maintains an overall one out of five available star rating in the Medicare rating comparative analysis system. This includes three out of five stars for staffing issues and one out of five stars for both health inspections and quality measures. The Jefferson County nursing home neglect attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have reviewed and evaluated a long list of safety concerns and deficiencies at this nursing facility that include:
- Failure to Ensure That Residents’ Drug Regimens Are Free from Unnecessary Medications
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 03/25/2016, the state agency surveyor noted the facility’s deficient practice during an annual licensure and certification survey of their failure to “ensure the residents receiving anticoagulant medication warfarin were monitored for adverse consequences by blood draws for Prothrombin Time and International Normalization Ratio [INR] as required.”
The deficient practice was first noted in the state investigator’s findings after reviewing a 66-year-old resident’s records revealing a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, deep vein thrombosis, and urinary tract infections.
The resident’s 11:30 AM 03/17/2016 Nurse’s Notes revealed that the resident “was seen by the Nurse Practitioner and an order was received and included a Venus Doppler study to the right lower leg. The March 2016 Physician Order Sheet (POS) includes written orders by [the Nurse Practitioner] for the Venus Doppler study to the right lower extremity for edema and pain and electrocardiogram (EKG) for tachycardia.”
The resident’s 03/18/2016 Nurse’s Notes indicate that a telephone order from the Medical Director “was received to send [the resident] to the emergency room related to an abnormal EKG reading.” At 10:00 PM that day, the resident’s “Nurse’s Notes document an antibiotic was started as ordered.” In addition, the resident began taking Lovenox subcutaneously every twelve hours along with the generic forms of Coumadin and Bactrim. “The order specifically states ‘watch INR closely as Bactrim can increase INR greatly and the patient may require lower doses of warfarin…”
In addition, there was an “addendum” attached to the “Hospital Discharge Summary with the date of 03/19/2016 that states ‘will order daily INRs for seven days and until INR is less that 2.” However, the facility never “arranged to have labs drawn for the INR levels. As a result, [the resident] did not have the ordered PT/INR levels check for four days.”
In accordance with guidelines on prescribing warfarin, the nursing staff and the patient’s doctor must be aware that “warfarin dosing should be tailored based on patient bleed risk, potential sensitivity to warfarin, indication, goal INR range, and if potential drug interactions are present.” In addition, the doctor and nursing staff must be informed of any need “for reversal agents in the event of a bleeding event or emergent surgery/procedure.”
Mount Vernon Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
If you have your suspicions that your loved one is being neglected or abused while residing at White Oak Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, call Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to stop the mistreatment now. Allow our seasoned Mount Vernon attorneys to file your claim for compensation against all those responsible for causing harm to your loved one. Our years of experience can ensure a successful financial resolution to make sure your family receives the financial recompense they deserve.
We urge you to contact our Jefferson County elder abuse law office at (888) 424-5757. Schedule your appointment today to speak with one of our experienced lawyers for your free comprehensive case evaluation. No upfront fees are necessary because our law firm accepts every personal injury case, wrongful death lawsuit, and nursing home abuse/neglect claim for compensation through a contingency fee agreement.
Sources:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6004881FA06222016.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6004881FA03252016.PDF
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ltc/docs/SurveyResult/6004881FIK11242015.PDF
