January 23, 2011

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Rainbow Beach Care Center

Our examination continues of the latest report of Illinois nursing homes that have violated basic resident health, care, and safety laws. Rainbow Beach Car e Center, a nursing home just north of the city in Evanston, recently received several Type “A Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $10,000. The violations resulted from the facility’s failure to ensure the proper monitoring of residents with specific mental illnesses and at risk of elopement.

Many residents at the facility have specific care needs and pose specific risks to themselves and others. One group of residents with special mental problems are deemed “elopement risks”—they exhibit behavior that make it more likely that they could attempt to leave the facility unmonitored. These residents are under unique care plans that include special monitoring and check-ins to ensure their safety.

When those policies are not followed severe consequences often result. For example, one mentally ill resident at Rainbow Beach ended up leaving the facility unbeknownst to the caregivers. The resident was gone for over 10 days and traveled over 25 miles. The resident wandered across railroad tracks and burst intersections without supervision. Afterwards the resident was very confused and may have suffered set-backs in his mental health development.

Wandering remains a serious problem at many nursing homes. It is only a matter of luck that the resident did not suffer severe physical harm in this case—others are not that fortunate.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Rainbow Beach Care Center" »

January 9, 2011

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Searles Group Home

Today we continue our examination of the latest report of Illinois nursing homes that have been found to have violated basic laws concerning resident health, care, and safety. Searles Group Home, a nursing home in Rockford, recently received several Type “A Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $10,000. The violations resulted from the facility’s failure to take proper steps after the allegation of physical abuse of a resident by one of its employees.

Earlier this year a resident at the facility with severe mental retardation was discovered with a strange bruise on her wrist. The employee who discovered it found it suspicious and asked her co-workers about it. At first it was assumed that the resident must have bumped into something. However, upon more investigation two employees admitted that the resident told her another direct service worker had hit her, causing the bruise.

As with most facilities, the nursing home has clear policies related to the appropriate contact and force that any employee should use on a resident. It also has plans that need to be followed after abuse is discovered so that other residents are not harmed by the dangerous employee.

Unfortunately, none of those procedures were followed in this case. The staff member involved was not suspended or disciplined in any way. The allegation of abuse went nowhere. The employee remained in her regular duties without any steps taken to protect other residents or punish the abuser.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Searles Group Home" »

January 1, 2011

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Pine Terrace

Our look at the latest report of Illinois nursing homes that have been found to have violated basic laws concerning resident health, care, and safety continues today. A Chicago-area nursing home, Pine Terrace, located in Waukegan recently received several Type “A Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $40,000. The violations resulted in part from the facility’s poor treatment of several residents suffering from pneumonia.

Specifically, investigators of the facility reported that there was inadequate care given to residents with pneumonia in the small sample of residents examined, placing over a dozen at risk for severe illness or death.

Overall, the Illinois nursing home failed to ensure that nurses completed an on-going assessment of the sick individuals after the diagnosis, including basic lapses like no monitoring of vital signs, temperature, and lung sounds. The facility did not abide by general hospital guidelines regarding the activity of residents with the illness including ensuring proper rest and drinking milk.

The staff involved in treating the residents were not trained in recognizing any signs or symptoms of pneumonia. That inadequate training likely affected the poor care given to the residents suffering from the potentially life threatening complication. The immune systems of many residents are particularly vulnerable. It is therefore unconscionable that staff members and medical personnel at a nursing home would be untrained and ill-equipment to provide even the most basic pneumonia-related care to help save these residents’ lives.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Pine Terrace" »

December 25, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Monroe Pavilion and Health Treatment Center

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently released the latest list of nursing homes found to have violated basic laws concerning resident health, care, and safety. One of those negligent nursing homes, The Monroe Pavilion and Health Treatment Center, recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department and fined $15,000. The sanctions resulted from, among other events, the failure to prevents and appropriately respond the physical assault of one resident on another.

One of the violations included failure to prevent a violent physical altercation between two residents. Apparently an aggressive resident became agitated following being asked a question by a second resident. The aggressor picked up a patio chair nearby and swung it at the side of the other resident’s head, cutting the side of the man’s face and his right arm. The victim fell onto the ground following the attack, at which point the aggressor began kicking the downed resident. The victim had to be transported to the hospital with multiple facial injuries and a arm laceration.

Subsequently, nursing home investigators discovered that the facility provided inefficient oversight of the potentially violent resident—creating an environment where the attack was more likely to happen. Additionally, the facility had inadequate procedures in place to respond to the event and ensure the safety of all residents.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Monroe Pavilion and Health Treatment Center" »

December 18, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Columbus Manor Residential Care Home

Another of the many Illinois nursing homes that was cited for care violations by the Illinois Department of Public Health was the Evergreen Health Care Center on South Kedzie in Evergreen Park. The nursing home was charged with several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois department and was fined $30,000. The large fine was caused by several different act of negligent care at the facility that put many residents in extreme danger, leading to the death of one victim.

For example, a resident was admitted to the facility after suffering from abdominal pain, leg swelling, and many other medical problems. She was prescribed an intravenous drug, to be administered 12 hours a day. The resident’s medical condition deteriorated over the next month, however. After one apparent problematic rise in her condition a private ambulance was called. Paramedics noticed that the woman’s blood pressure was much worse than the nurse had indicated. They also observed that the intravenous drug had been removed. The emergency medical crews were unable to start a new intravenous program and the resident went into cardiac arrest. She died at the hospital shortly after.

Later, officials conceded that there was problematic care provided to the resident. Her change in condition was not properly noted by employees and 911 should have been called instead of a regular ambulance.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Columbus Manor Residential Care Home" »

December 12, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Columbus Manor Residential Care Home

One of the many Chicago nursing homes that was recently cited for care violations by the Illinois Department of Public Health was the Columbus Manor Residential Care Home, located on the 5100 block West Jackson Boulevard. The nursing home was charged with several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois department and was fined $15,000. The violations resulted from the facility’s failure to properly protect and report on abuse of several residents by others.

One nursing home resident was found sad and tearful at the facility one evening. Upon further investigation, officials realized that the resident had an injury on her arm. It appeared to be a significant sore. When asked further, the resident admitted that another individual at the facility had burned a cigarette out on her arm. Apparently, the victimized resident had told the aggressor that she was not allowed to smoke in that location and asked her to extinguish the cigarette. That led the smoker to get angry and put the cigarette out on the victim’s arm.

The report of the incident prepared by nursing home employees makes no mention of the alleged aggressor or concerns about retaliation by other residents. Also, the employees failed to confiscate the cigarettes and take any steps to ensure that similar actions were not taken in the future.

In one of several other acts of negligence, staff members failed to stop one resident from physically and sexually assaulting another. The 67-year old victim was in her bed one night when a male resident entered. The intruding resident inappropriately grabbed the victim in bed and made sexual demands. When the victim refused the abuser punched her in the face and started choking her. The attack only ended when other residents heard the commotion and rushed into the room.

These represent only two of several horrific acts of negligent care documented in this latest report.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Columbus Manor Residential Care Home" »

December 10, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Alden Wentworth Rehab Center

We continue our look at Chicago nursing homes that were recently cited for violations by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Earlier this year Alden Wentworth Rehab Center, a facility located on West 69th Street, recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and was fined $20,000. The violations were given as a result of various acts of negligence, including failure to investigate allegations of residents abusing one another and the facility’s failure to follow even basic nutrition guidelines in feeding residents.

When inspectors visited the facility, they noticed that the meal being served for lunch appeared to be quite small. A hamburger was served that weighed only 2.2 ounces. It was also documented that many residents were not fed lunch until late. Other basic nutritional procedures were not followed by the staff members of the facility.

In addition, the Chicago nursing home breached its own policy protocol after one female resident accused a male resident of sexually assaulting her—no investigation or action of any kind was taken by the nursing home. The victim reported being approached by the aggressor while she was in bed. He tried to kiss her but she rebuffed him. The man then became forceful, eventually touching her inappropriately.

Even after the incident, the aggressive resident had free reign of all the floors and locations in the facility. At the time of the nursing home inspection, little to nothing had been done following the alleged abuse.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Alden Wentworth Rehab Center" »

December 8, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Warren Park Health and Living Center

Unfortunately, many Chicago nursing homes are found on the Quarterly Violator List of negligent facilities by the Illinois Department of Public Health. For example, Warren Park Health and Living Center located at the 6700 block of North Damen recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and was fined $20,000. The violations were given as a result of negligent care that led to the death of a suicidal resident while taking a bath.

The victim was admitted to the facility earlier this year with several ailments, including bi-polar disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and noted suicidal ideation. A few months ago, the resident was found unresponsive in a tub room on the first floor. The woman was laying face up in the tub with the water pouring full blast straight into her mouth. The resident died at a local hospital shortly after.

An investigation into the event revealed the resident had told other employees several times before of her desire to commit suicide. Specifically, she had previously tried to drown herself—only a month before this incident. She was placed on monitoring over those concerns, but that monitoring lapsed.

Overall, the facility did not have any policies and procedures in place to ensure that residents did not have unfettered access to the unsupervised tub room. They did not fill out an appropriate incident report following this accident, nor did they pass along the information to the Regional Health Department as required.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Warren Park Health and Living Center" »

December 7, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Westlake Home

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently released the latest list of nursing homes found to have violated basic laws concerning resident health, care, and safety. One of those negligent nursing homes, The Westlake Home, recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department and fined $20,000. The sanctions resulted from abuse, mistreatment, neglect, and psychological sexual abuse of a vulnerable young resident.

Psychological sexual abuse, more commonly considered sexually assault, involves the unwelcome contact, exposure to sexual language, explicit material, or unwanted advances and gestures. Obviously, this form of abuse is prohibited between residents and staff as well and among residents. However, as is far too common at nursing homes across the state, Westlake failed to protect one resident from the inappropriate sexual advances of another.

State officials discovered one female resident naked in her room. When asked, the resident explained that another male resident had removed her clothes and inappropriately touched her. The male resident told the vulnerable female victim that she needed to be undressed to take a bath. It was then that he exposed himself to her and made sexual contact.

The victim has a very low IQ and is in need of continuous supervision to ensure her safety. Obviously that close care was lacking in this case, as the fellow resident was able to violate the victim while alone. The aggressor was known to have previously exhibited inappropriate sexual advances, yet steps were not taken to ensure other residents were protected from his actions.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Westlake Home" »

November 15, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Camelot Terrace

We continue looking at the latest report of Illinois nursing homes that have been found to have violated basic laws concerning resident health, care, and safety. Camelot Terrace, a nursing home in Streator, recently received several Type “A Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $25,000. The violations resulted in part from the facility’s failed response to potential abuse

The nursing home’s abuse prevention plan requires that potential abuse of a resident by anyone in any form be reported immediately to the facility’s nursing director and then, subsequent an investigation, the proper legal authorities if necessary. While the nursing director is conducting an investigation into the allegation, steps were supposed to have been taken to ensure that the abuse could not continue. However, state authorities discovered that Camelot Terrace employees failed to follow this vital protocol.

One resident was discovered to have bruising around her thighs, anal area, and perineum—injuries that she did not have the night before. A certified nursing assistant informed the Director Nursing at Camelot Terrace of her concerns about the resident’s family member who was with the resident in the interim, claiming that the family member is “always messing around with her.” The assistant was also concerned that the family member was attempting to move the resident in the improper manner—without a mechanical lift.

Other staff members also reported the resident was clearly scared any time that particular family member came to visit. They also remember additional injuries to the resident any time the family member was around. Later a nursing home employee recalls seeing the man leaving the resident’s room after being in there alone; he was zipping up his sweatshirt and visibly sweating.

As of the issuance of the citation for these issues, the aggressor had still not been contacted, questioned, or additional protection provided to the resident.

For some reason, the clear signs of sexual and or physical abuse at the facility were not considered worthy of more thorough investigation. In all circumstances, a logical, necessary response to the potential crime would have been to contact police officers immediately, seeking treatment and protection for the victim.

Continue reading "Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Camelot Terrace" »

November 3, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Alden Alma Nelson Manor

We continue looking at the latest report of Illinois nursing homes that have been found to have violated basic laws concerning resident health, care, and safety. The Alden Alma Nelson Manor, a nursing home in Rockford, recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $15,000. The violations resulted from improper emergency responses following the sexual abuse of several nursing home residents.

Specifically, state health officials discovered at least three instances where staff members failed to keep residents from being sexually abused by another resident. The attacking resident had previously been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. He showed clear signs of verbal abuse, physical abuse, and socially inappropriate behavior. Staff members were also aware that the resident’s physical size (over 6 feet tall, weighing roughly 230 pounds) made him an imposing figure to more vulnerable residents.

On at least three occasions members of the staff at the facility caught the resident having inappropriate sexual relations with other residents. However, following none of those incidents did the facility call police or emergency personnel. Instead, they simply talked with the abuser’s probation officer and asked about removing him from the facility.

Of course the delay in removing the aggressive assaulter meant that he had continued time to roam the facility attacking other vulnerable residents.

For some reason, the clear sexual, criminal abuse at the facility was consider unworthy of immediate police intervention. In all circumstances, a logical, necessary response to the crime would have been to contact police officers immediately, seeking treatment or the victims and protection for all other residents.

Our Chicago nursing home lawyers at Levin & Perconti have experience fighting for victims of negligent nursing home care. It is imperative that these facilities treat residents with the same respect, protection, and concern that all members of society deserve. There is no excuse for not immediately contacting criminal authorities when nursing home residents are victimized—whether the abuser is another resident, an employee, or a third party. Be sure to contact a nursing home attorney if you know of violations like the one here.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH report on this violation, please click the link.

October 21, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: University Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

We continue looking at the latest report of Illinois nursing homes that have been found to have violated basic laws concerning resident health, care, and safety. The University Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Edwardsville, recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $20,000. The violations resulted in part from inadequate supervision of residents known to pose unique risks for falls and injury.

One resident of the facility, a dementia patient, was considered ‘high risk” for falls following an assessment made by nursing home employees. As a result she was placed on a specialized plan that sought to minimize the chance of injury due to his unsteady gait, osteoporosis, and decreased safety awareness.

However, several months ago, the certified nursing aide provided supervision to the resident admitted leaving the vulnerable resident on the side of her bed unattended, sliding one side of the bed rails down. Not long after being left in that position unattended, the resident fell off the bed hitting her head in the process—a large wound was present. But instead of calling emergency personal immediately, the resident was simply put back in bed. Hours later a supervising nurse checked on the resident, noticed that she was suffering problems and called for an ambulance.

At the hospital, doctors discovered that the woman had multiple fractures in the head and spine areas. In addition, she was suffering from a hematoma, or bleeding on the brain.

Our Chicago nursing home lawyers at Levin & Perconti have experience fighting for victims of negligent nursing home care. It is imperative that these facilities protect residents from basic falls like this, because even a single accident can have deadly consequence for many fragile residents. Be sure to contact a similar nursing home attorney if you know of violations like the one here.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH report on this violation, please click the link.

October 20, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Virgil Calvert Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

The Virgil Calvert Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a care facility in East St. Louis, recently received several a Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $40,000. The violations resulted in part from failure to provide proper oversight and not protecting several residents from sexual abuse leading to exposure to sexually transmitted diseases.

The facility admitted one resident who suffers from mild dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. He is partially mentally impaired mentally and was a registered sex offender. The first incident involved the aggressive resident being found with a confused female resident to who claimed not to understand what had just happened.

In other cases, the resident was accused of inappropriately touching several female residents who did not possess the mental capacity to consent to that type of physical contact. Following several of the violations the nursing home employees did not create any sort of nursing or incident report or notify the state regulatory department about the conduct.

Earlier this year several another incident was reported involving the resident making unwanted sexual advances on a female resident. A nurse spotted two shoes underneath a curtain and found the sexually aggressive resident acting inappropriately with a female resident with severe mental impairment. The female victim appeared unsure about what was going on—a clear pattern of behavior had emerged where the aggressive resident took advantage of the most impaired female residents.

A different male resident at the facility was also found to have committed several inappropriate actions with unwilling female residents. However, even though employees at the facility admitted the problematic sexual actions of the resident, no unique care plan was created, no minimum data set was completed, and no other nurse’s notes were made to monitor the problem.

Our Chicago nursing home lawyers at Levin & Perconti have experience fighting for victims of negligent nursing home care. It is imperative that these facilities protect residents from one another—especially when there is repeated evidence that certain residents pose particular risks. Be sure to contact them or any similar attorney if you know of violations similar to the one at Virgil Calvert Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH report on this violation, please click the link.

July 31, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Edwardsville Terrace

Edwardsville Terrace, a care facility in Southern Illinois, recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $20,000. The violations resulted from a mismanaged healthcare emergency situation at the facility which involved nursing home abuse and neglect.

A mentally disabled and diabetic resident of the facility had been ill for several weeks. However, staff of the nursing home failed to properly provide close monitoring after the illness, such as recorded daily vital signs. In addition, they did not properly check the resident’s blood-sugar levels. Ultimately, the resident had a severe reaction to a medication, which nursing home staff should have known was going to occur.

Illinois nursing home investigators declared that Edwardsville Terrace staff had been negligent in failing to provide proper oversight of the resident’s illness and developing complications. They should have enacted necessary, systematic check-ups to ensure that the resident received the proper treatment.

Many residents live in nursing homes specifically because the homes are suppose to provide the quick, expert medical care necessary in life and death emergency situations. But all too often, nursing homes fail to provide the care that residents count on. Failure to provide proper emergency care is just one of many forms of nursing home negligence.

Our Chicago nursing home lawyers at Levin & Perconti have experience fighting for victims of negligent nursing home care. Be sure to contact them or any similar attorney if you know of violations similar to the one at Edwardsville Terrace.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH report on this violation, please click the link.

July 25, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Collinsville Rehabilitation & Health Care Center

The Collinsville Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, afacility in Southern Illinois near St. Louis, recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $20,000. The violations resulted from mismanaged situation resulting in one resident sexually abusing another.

One resident at the facility was allowed to attempt sexual assault on another resident on two separate occasions. The abusive resident went up to the victim without her notice while she was leaving a bathroom and pulled up her skirt. The victim immediately told staff members about the situation, but they did nothing. Later, the same resident went back into the victim’s room, held her to her bed, told her to be quiet, and attempted to remove her garments. Luckily, the victim’s screams ultimately scared the man away, and he fled the room.

Records indicated that the man had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, abusive conduct, and mental illnesses. He was admitted to the facility from the U.S. Medical Center for federal prisoners in Springfield, Missouri. The Collinsville facility had failed to perform even a basic background check on the individual before admitting him.

Illinois nursing home investigators declared that Collinsville Center staff had been negligent in failing to protect the abused resident from her attacker and not properly screening and dealing with the abusive resident.

Negligent nursing homes are dangerous living environment for seniors, because staff members do not adequately protect vulnerable residents from both internal and external threats. Those threats come in both physical abuse and negligent emergency care. In either care, victims and their families deserve compensation for the losses they suffer.

Our Chicago nursing home lawyers at Levin & Perconti have experience fighting for victims of negligent nursing home care. Be sure to contact them or any similar attorney if you know of violations similar to the one at Collinsville Community Center.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH report on this violation, please click the link.

July 18, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: California Gardens Nursing and Rehab Center

The California Gardens Nursing and Rehab Center, a care facility on the southwest side of Chicago, recently received a Type “A” Violation from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $5,000. The violation resulted from mismanaged situations at the facility which involve nursing home neglect.

Contrary to proper procedure, a resident at the facility was allowed to obtain cigarettes and smoke unsupervised in his own bedroom on several occasions. Previously, the resident had burned his chest while smoking on his room while lying down. On subsequent interviews with the resident by investigators, it became clear that the problem had still not been resolved. The resident continued to obtain cigarettes and lighting capabilities.

This particular resident had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, seizure disorder, cerebral vascular accident-prone, and diabetes. Those vulnerabilities plus the resident’s history of inappropriate smoking, mean that nursing home administrators and staff need to provide extra oversight of the resident to ensure that future violations no longer occur. The smoking presented a hazard to all residents in the facility.

Many residents live in nursing homes specifically because the homes are supposed to provide quick, expert medical care and proper oversight. But all too often, nursing homes fail to provide the oversight that residents count on. Failure to provide proper oversight of residents is just one of many forms of nursing home negligence.

Our Chicago nursing home lawyers at Levin & Perconti have experience fighting for victims of negligent nursing home care. In one case, we successfully negotiated a $1.5 million settlement for a nursing home resident, whose smoking was improperly monitored, leading to severe burns and ultimately death.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH report on this violation, please click the link.

July 5, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Barry Community Center

The Barry Community Center, a care facility in Southern Illinois, recently received several Type “A” Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $35,000. The violations resulted from mismanaged emergency situations at the facility which involved nursing home abuse and neglect. The Center is owned by Alden Village North, a nursing home group based out of Chicago.

Contrary to proper procedure, a resident at the facility was allowed to eat unsupervised for 30-35 minutes. When a care worker finally checked on the resident, they found her to be choking on the food. To compound the error, the nursing home staff members did not provide any quick emergency care (such as back blows) nor did they call 911. Instead they waited over an hour to call her personal physician. When the abused resident was finally brought to the hospital, it was too late. She was unresponsive and in severe respiratory stress, and she died shortly after.

Illinois nursing home investigators declared that Barry Community Center staff had been negligent in allowing the resident to eat alone, failing to give back blows when it was discovered that the resident was choking, and failing to immediately contact 911.

Many residents live in nursing homes specifically because the homes are suppose to provide the quick, expert medical care necessary in life and death emergency situations. But all too often, nursing homes fail to provide the care that residents count on. Failure to properly monitor meal times leading to a choking death is just one of many forms of nursing home negligence.

Our Chicago nursing home lawyers at Levin & Perconti have experience fighting for victims of negligent nursing home care. Be sure to contact them or any similar attorney if you know of violations similar to the one at Barry Community Center.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH report on this violation, please click the link.

June 23, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Adloff Place

Adloff Place, a care facility in Springfield, Illinois catering primarily to the physically and mentally handicapped, recently received a Type “A” Violation from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $15,000.

Inspectors of the facility noted that two of the twelve residents were engaged in sexual activity, and that nursing home staff had no policy in place to ensure that both individuals consented to the activity. One of the residents involved suffers from bipolar disorder and has a severe mental handicap with the functioning level of an 11 year old. The inspectors noted that the facility needed to have a clear policy in place to ensure that no sexual abuse occurs.

These policies are especially important in facilities where mentally challenged and elderly individuals reside because they are particularly vulnerable to unwanted sexual advances. Failure to monitor such abuse is an all too common form of nursing home negligence.

In addition the report explains that the facility had also been negligent in failing to prevent residents from physically abusing one another. At least four separate residents were found to have been injured by others in the facility.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH report on the Adloff Place violation, please click the link

April 5, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: South Shore Nursing & Rehab Center

South Shore Nursing & Rehab Center in Chicago, Illinois has received a Type “A” Violation and a fine in the amount of $15,000 after inspectors found that the nursing home was negligent when it did not properly supervise nursing services. Inspectors also found that some residents were wandering.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators. To access the IDPH nursing home website, please click the link.

March 28, 2010

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Evergreen Health Care Center

Evergreen Health Care Center in Evergreen Park, Illinois has received a Type “A” Violation and a fine in the amount of $25,000 after inspectors found that the nursing home was negligent when it failed to notify the patient’s physicians after significant changes in the resident’s health. Inspectors also found that there were problems with patient’s catheters.

The Illinois Department of Health produces quarterly reports on nursing home violators throught Illinois. To access the Illinois nursing home , violation website please click the link.