Some forms of mistreatment occurring in nursing facilities are the result of the nursing staff, doctor, employees or other caregivers failing to provide care to residents according to established standards. Typically, the neglectful actions result in injury, harm or wrongful death. Other times, the victim is assaulted by visitors, family members or other patients.
If your loved one was harmed while residing in a Licking County nursing facility, we can help. Let our team of lawyers work on your family’s behalf to ensure you receive financial compensation to recover your damages. Contact Ohio Nursing Home Law Center Attorneys now so we can begin working on your case today.
This nursing facility is a "for profit" Medicare and Medicaid-participating home providing services to residents of Heath and Licking County, Ohio. The 150-certified bed long-term care center is located at:
717 South 30Th Street
Heath, Ohio 43056
(740) 522-1171
The Laurels of Heath Nursing Center
In addition to providing 24/7 skilled nursing care, The Laurels of Heath Nursing Center offers other services. Additional focused care includes long-term care, outpatient therapy, palliative care, hospice, respite care, and short-term rehabilitation.
Ohio and federal agencies have the legal responsibility of monitoring every nursing home and imposing monetary fines are denying reimbursement payments through Medicare if investigators identify serious violations and deficiencies. These penalties are typically imposed when the violation is severe and harmed or could have harmed a resident.
The nursing home also received seven complaints over the last three years that resulted in a violation citation. Additional documentation concerning penalties and fines can be reviewed on the Ohio Long-Term Care Consumer Guide.
The federal government and Ohio Department of Public Health website update comprehensive information containing historical details of all citations and violations.
According to Medicare, this facility maintains an overall rating of one out of five stars, including two out of five stars concerning health inspections, one out of five stars for staffing issues and four out of five stars for quality measures.
According to state investigators, “the facility failed to implement appropriate interventions to prevent pressure ulcer for [a resident]. Actual harm occurred when [the resident], who is dependent on two staff for bed mobility, developed three Suspected Deep Tissue Injuries (SDTI) on his heels and ankles when the facility failed to implement an individualized turning and repositioning program.” The nursing home also “failed to elevate his heels to provide pressure relief.”
An “SDTI is a purple or maroon area of discolored intact skin to damage of underlying soft tissue from prolonged pressure. The area may be preceded by tissue that is painful, firm, mushy, boggy, warmer or cooler as compared to adjacent tissue.”
The incident involved a severely, cognitively impaired resident who suffers from long-term and short-term memory loss. The resident’s MDS (Minimum Data Set) Assessment indicated that the resident has an indwelling urinary catheter, is always incontinent of the bowel, was at risk for skin breakdown and had no current skin breakdown.”
The documentation also indicated that the facility “implement a pressure reducing device to his bed/chair an application of nonsurgical dressings. However, he was not placed on a turning/repositioning program.”
A review of the resident’s records indicated that there were three STDI sores “which developed in-house on April 17, 2018. The Wound Tracking for each pressure ulcer/SDTI revealed that the sores were acquired in-house. The resident “was sent to the hospital” for evaluation and treatment.
The nursing home “failed to treat residents with respect and in a manner to promote their well-being.” The deficient practice by the nursing staff had the “potential to affect all thirty-six residents currently living on Unit Two in the facility.”
The survey team interviewed a resident who revealed: “the majority of the staff treated her with respect, but a first shift aide did not help her at times and was rude to her.” The resident identified the State-Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA).
The resident’s brother was interviewed and stated that “he did not believe all staff was appropriate with his brother or quick to respond to his needs,” revealing that one Aide was not particularly friendly. The resident stated that, “the STNA was not happy and [that he believed] she would not get him up out of bed for bingo or therapy [saying that] she was too busy, or she just does not come into his room.”
Do you believe that your loved one has suffered harm through mistreatment while living at The Laurels of Heath Nursing Center? Contact the Ohio nursing home abuse lawyers at Nursing Home Law Center at (800) 926-7565 for immediate legal intervention. We represent Licking County victims of abuse and neglect in all areas including Heath.
We provide every potential client a free initial case consultation and offer a 100% “No Win/No-Fee” Guarantee. This promise means you will not pay us anything until after we have secured monetary recovery on your behalf. All information you share with our law offices will remain confidential.
Sources:
Attorney Nancy Iler
Licensed in Ohio
Chicago Nursing Home Injury Lawyer Nursing Home Law Center LLC Home