The State of Illinois has issued fines to four local nursing homes for resident safety violations. The facilities receiving fines are ClarkLindsey, University Rehabilitation Center of Champaign-Urbana, Gardenview Manor, and Arcadia. All of the violations issued were classified as Type A violations meaning there is a substantial probability that death or serious mental or physical harm will result or has resulted.
According to a state agency report, ClarkLindsey received their violation for failing to identify, implement, and document individualized fall interventions. This resulted in one resident sustaining multiple falls with injuries and was ultimately transferred to an emergency department.
The report also showed that the University Rehabilitation Center of Champaign-Urbana also failed to prevent falls, failing to provide safe turning and positioning, and failing to provide a safe transfer using a mechanical lift. As a result, it was reported that one resident fell from a bed onto the floor, causing a right hip fracture. Another resident sustained a left ankle and knee fracture from a fall.
The State report continued to report that the Arcadia of Danville failed to conduct thorough fall investigations and develop and conduct interventions. One resident fell and sustained a brain bleed and right upper arm fracture while another resident who fell suffered a wound to the back of the head.
Gardenview Manor was also mentioned in the report and was said to have failed to put into operation its policy regarding physician notification of changes in a resident’s condition which would help to recognize when a resident needs emergent medical intervention. As a result, a resident didn’t receive necassary emergency medical treatment in a timely manner. This was despite exhibiting a significant decline and physical status over the course of over five hours. As an unfortunate result, the resident died of hemorrhagic shock secondary to a tear of the tissue of the lower esophagus.
This is not the type of care that we expect from our assisted living facilities. As family members of an elderly person, making the tough decision to admit our loved one to a nursing home can be very stressful. We expect the nursing home to be able to give better care to our loved ones and be able to assist them with the medical needs that we are unable to because of our lack of medical knowledge or busy schedule. Making the decision to admit your loved one to a nursing home should give you some peace of mind in knowing that they should receive better care than you can provide them. However, this is sometimes not the case. Many nursing homes are understaffed, underpaid, and overall have a lack of care for their residents. Not having properly trained or enough staff can quickly lead to residents not receiving the proper care they require and can even result in certain injuries, possibly even death. When admitting your loved one to a nursing home, you should not have to worry if you are paying for your loved one to endure a lack of care, lack of empathy, injury, or worse.
If you or a loved one has recently suffered an injury due to certain nursing home practices or nursing home neglect, we may be able to help. Spiros Law, P.C. is a law firm full of attorneys who are knowledgeable in the area of nursing home neglect. Call (815) 929-9292 to set up a free consultation to see if we may be able to assist you in receiving the compensation you deserve.
Back in June, three other nursing homes in East Central Illinois have been fined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Each home was fined $25,000 for violations involving resident safety. The fines, under the state’s Nursing Home Care Act, were each classified as “Type A” violations which are for conditions that have a substantial probability of death or serious mental or physical harm occurring. The violations that resulted in the fines occurred at Champaign-Urbana Nursing & Rehab in Savoy, Gardenview Manor in Danville, and the Piatt County Nursing Home in Monticello.
Champaign-Urbana Nursing & Rehab is a 213-bed facility and, according to the state agency, received their Type A violation was for failing to prevent verbal and physical abuse of a resident. The investigation occurred in November 2021 and found that a resident suffered “mental anguish” during and after the abuse by a certified nursing assistant. The report states that the employee both yelled at and physically grabbed and yanked the arm of one of the residents. As a result of the incident, the director of nursing told the employee they could resign or be fired. In addition to the Type A violation, the facility was also issued a $2,200 fine for a lesser Type B violation.
Gardenview Manor, a 213-bed facility, received its violation for failing to recognize an emergency change in a resident’s condition and failing to provide timely medical evaluation, care, and intervention, according to the state health agency.
Lastly, the Piatt County Nursing Home, which is a 100-bed facility received a violation and fined for failing to provide safe supervision for two residents, resulting in falls for both residents.
