levin & perconti

Nursing Homes Still Understaffing In Dire Situations

Published on: July 24, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

The Chronic Problems Related to Understaffed Nursing Homes

Deliberate understaffing is a common practice in nursing homes across the U.S., and especially here in Illinois, where nearly 70% of all long-term care networks are for-profit owned. When facilities are privately owned and operated, owners become more concerned about profits than having the right amount of staff available to provide quality patient care. According to a 2018-2019 report prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services, an incredible 90% of U.S. facilities are understaffed. The findings were documented by evidence through payroll records that showed nursing homes were underreporting staffing challenges.

Worker shortages contribute to nursing home struggles that sometimes lead to preventable hospitalizations, injuries, or deaths. Risky cost-cutting measures and unethical practices are creating a ripple of adverse effects that nursing home residents ultimately pay for.

Majority of COVID-19 Deaths Are Nursing Homes Residents

Published on: July 23, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Analysis of COVID-19 Long-Term Care Deaths in 17 Countries

The Canadian Institute for Health Information performed an analysis using data collected (report as of May 25, 2020) from 17 countries to show the similarities and differences between coronavirus pandemic experiences related to long-term care. The review focused on three specific areas of comparison:

COVID-19 outcomes in LTC (cases and deaths)

Symphony at the Tillers of Oswego: COVID-19 Summary

Published on: July 7, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Symphony at the Tillers of Oswego releases COVID-19 statistics showing 46 COVID infections and 9 deaths. Levin & Perconti, Illinois nursing home lawyers launch investigation into gross negligence in preventing the spread of COVID-19

On June 12. 2020, Symphony at the Tillers of Oswego, located in Oswego, IL, released long term care outbreak data reporting of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 outbreak cases. These statics confirm that 46 infections and 9 deaths have occurred at the facility during the COVID-19 outbreak.

News Article

Symphony of Morgan Park: COVID-19 Summary

Published on: July 6, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Symphony of Morgan Park releases COVID-19 statistics showing 194 COVID infections and 22 deaths. Levin & Perconti, Illinois nursing home lawyers launch investigation into gross negligence in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

On June 5, 2020, Symphony of Morgan Park, located in Chicago, IL, released long term care outbreak data reporting of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 outbreak cases. These statics confirm that 194 infections and 22 deaths have occurred at the facility during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Quarterly Reports:

Cass County Seeing Increase in COVID-19 Cases

Published on: July 3, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Cass County Reports Increased COVID-19 Risk Sparked by Outbreak at Unnamed Nursing Home

COVID-19 continues to plague Illinois long-term care facilities, including nursing homes. And as Illinois approaches Phase 4 of its reopening measures, Cass County, located in central Illinois, is the only county reporting a significant increase in COVID-19 risks to residents. The Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) has been monitoring several indicators that measure the health burden of COVID-19 in each county. For the reporting period of June 14 through June 20, Cass County’s case rate was 191 per 100,000, well above the 50 per 100,000 preferred target. An estimated 20 new cases have been linked to a long-term care facility, as confirmed by IDPH.

The new cases include:

Antipsychotic Drugs Add Injury Risk to Nursing Home Residents

Published on: July 2, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Drug Overuse Is Prevalent in Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer’s

Antipsychotic drugs are sometimes given to patients living in long-term care facilities to calm behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s or memory and behavior illnesses. They are also overly prescribed to residents who may be marked unruly or disruptive. Care staff are known to seek out specific medications to make these patients easier to handle, or quiet them and make them sleepy. Doctors may rely heavily on the recommendation of nurses and other care staff when making these medication decisions.

These drugs can be dangerous when used without a physician or family’s knowledge or consent, a haphazard tactic given that the mismanagement of these drugs has been known to cause sudden death. This practice, also known as chemical restraint, is unfortunately not new although Federal law prohibits the use of antipsychotic drugs or psychoactive drugs solely for the convenience of medical staff, and to sedate a patient. Additionally, consent must be given in order to use chemical restraints.

Edwardsville Care Center Illinois: COVID-19 Summary

Published on: July 2, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Edwardsville Care Center releases COVID-19 statistics showing 94 COVID infections and 22 deaths. Levin & Perconti, Illinois nursing home lawyers launch investigation into gross negligence in preventing the spread of COVID-19

On June 15, 2020, Edwardsville Care Center, located in Edwardsville, Illinois, released long term care outbreak data reporting of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 outbreak cases. These statics confirm that 94 infections and 22 deaths have occurred at the facility during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Quarterly Violations

Aperion Care COVID-19 Outbreak Reported in Morgan County

Published on: July 1, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Morgan County Battles First Coronavirus Outbreak at Aperion Care Jacksonville

In west-central Illinois, a Morgan County long-term care facility is the first to be affected by a COVID-19 outbreak. Forty-eight confirmed cases and one death have been reported involving residents of Aperion Care Jacksonville located at 1021 North Church Street in Jacksonville, according to the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) as of June 25, 2020.

There have been 126 confirmed coronavirus cases in Morgan County, with nearly a third attributed to the outbreak at Aperion Care. Many of the positive cases were among residents and staff members. A closer look through quarterly reports of long-term care facilities, Aperion care homes remain a likely offender, plagued by chronic care issues that could be prevented.

Symphony at Midway: COVID-19 Statistics, Chicago, IL

Published on: July 1, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Symphony at Midway releases COVID-19 statistics showing 213 COVID infections and 21 deaths. Levin & Perconti, Illinois nursing home lawyers launch investigation into gross negligence in preventing the spread of COVID-19

On June 5, 2020, Symphony at Midway, located in Chicago, IL, released long term care outbreak data reporting of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 outbreak cases. These statics confirm that 213 infections and 21 deaths have occurred at the facility during the COVID-19 outbreak.

News Articles

Some Illinois Nursing Homes Now Open For Visitors

Published on: June 30, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

As Illinois Nursing Homes Allow for Outdoor Visitors, Family Members Can Look Out for Signs of Distress

COVID-19 is still spreading in Illinois with officials from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reporting 715 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, June 24, while deaths increased by 64. That brings the total cases in Illinois to 138,540, including 6,770 deaths, in 101 Illinois counties. Infections at long-term care facilities comprise nearly 16% of the state’s total cases, but nursing home residents who have died from the virus make up more than 55% of the state’s fatalities. IDPH has started to require testing of residents and staff members at those facilities, and recently announced new measures which allow for nursing home visitors to meet with residents and loved ones under strict precautions.

In a released statement by IDPH on June 18, 2020, Illinois long-term care facilities may begin to allow outdoor visitation for residents when certain conditions are met. Visits to Illinois nursing homes have been restricted since mid-March.