Alta Rehab at Fairmont Ratings and Violations
Nursing homes play a vital role in the healthcare system in the United States. By providing access to medical care, amenities, and daily living assistance, these residents can maintain a comfortable quality of life even as their physical needs change. However, facilities like Alta Rehab at Fairmount in Chicago, IL, are often plagued with violations and serious deficiencies, which can eventually lead to abuse or neglect of the residents.
The Nursing Home Law Center is dedicated to supporting victims of abuse and neglect in assisted living facilities. Our experienced nursing home abuse law firm will stand by your side as you seek justice for your suffering. A successful lawsuit can lead to financial compensation for legal damages, and though physical and emotional wounds take time to heal, your financial future will be secured.
First, we will look at the ratings, complaints, and past violations associated with this Chicago-based nursing institution.
Alta Rehab at Fairmont: Facility Profile
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency responsible for overseeing nursing homes and other initiatives across the country. CMS publishes ratings, logistical details, and past inspection reports for all institutions so consumers can assess the quality of these entities.
Let’s begin by looking at the latest data for Alta Rehab at Fairmont:
Facility Name: Aperion Care Fairmont LLC
Address: 5061 North Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60630
CMS Overall Rating: 1 star (much below average)
CMS Health Inspection Rating: 1 star ( much below average)
CMS Staffing Rating: 3 stars (average)
CMS Quality Measures Rating: 2 stars (below average)
Federal Fines in the Last 3 Years: 4 totaling $93,410
Payment Denials by Medicare in the Last 3 Years: 1
Cited for abuse: Yes
SFF: No
About Alta Rehab at Fairmont [Aperion Care]
Alta Rehab at Fairmont is a skilled nursing facility that offers services for short-term rehabilitation, long-term living, and psychiatric rehabilitation. Residents who stay at this institution have access to various services, including hospice care, registered nurse support, social activities, exercise programs, wound care, medication management, diet and food support, physical therapy, speech therapy, cardiac rehab, substance abuse programs, creating personalized treatment plans, and memory care.
This nursing home is owned and operated by Aperion Care, which is one of the major senior living chains in Illinois. The ownership type is a for-profit corporation. According to the CMS profile, this nursing community has 186 certified beds and accepts both Medicare and Medicaid insurance. It is not within a continuing care retirement community.
Alta Rehab at Fairmont CMS Ratings, Violations, and Safety Inspections
Individuals and families who are considering this nursing home should assess the location based on its CMS data. This organization assigns ratings to all nursing homes in the country using a five-star rating system. The scale for this system is as follows:
- One star – much below average
- Two stars – below average
- Three stars – average
- Four stars – above average
- Five stars – much above average
Ratings are given in three categories: health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Additionally, each nursing home receives an overall score based on the individual ratings for the three categories. Along with the ratings, CMS provides information from recent inspections, including deficiencies and violations committed by the nursing home. Alta Rehabilitation at Fairmont is ranked much below average.
Health Inspections
A nursing home undergoes regular inspections by state and federal entities. However, inspections can also be ordered in response to complaints about an institution. Since Alta Rehab at Fairmont has received a one-star rating in this category, it is no surprise that it has found its place on our list of the worst nursing homes in Illinois.
The latest inspection of this nursing home occurred in August 2024. That report resulted in 32 health citations, a staggering number when compared to the state average of 12.3 and the national average of 9.5. Additionally, eight inspections were initiated over the past three years in response to complaints, resulting in 27 health citations. Only nine citations were submitted based on the nursing home’s self-reports. There have also been no infection control inspections during this period.
Some of the information revealed by these inspections indicates a troubling trend of systemic failures and of nursing staff neglect toward patients. Here are some of the most worrisome findings:
- A failure to protect residents from all types of abuse, including physical, sexual, and mental abuse and neglect, leading to actual harm to some residents
- A failure to prevent accident hazards in the institution that led to actual harm to some residents, many of which were caused by preventable nursing home fall risks
- A failure to provide enough food and fluids to sustain a patient’s health, leading to nursing home resident weight loss
- A failure to provide appropriate treatment to all residents according to their personalized care plans and preferences
Staffing
The highest-rated category at this Chicago, IL, nursing home is staffing, though it has only earned an average rating of 3 stars. This indicates that staffing has its shortcomings, but the deficiencies are not as severe at this nursing home.
Here are some of the most concerning issues related to nursing home staff at this institution:
- 151.3 average residents per day, which is significantly higher than the state average of 92.6 and the national average of 84.6, reflecting a greater need for quality nurses
- 48 minutes of LPN/LVN hours per resident per day, compared to the national average of 52 minutes
Quality Measures
Many of the primary issues at this nursing home are reflected in the quality measures category. The facility on North Pulaski Rd only has a two-star rating in this area, which is considered below average.
First, let’s look at some of the trends for short-stay residents at this nursing home that can lead to instances of abuse or neglect:
- 33.2% of short-stay residents were re-hospitalized after a nursing home admission, compared to the state average of 25.6% and the national average of 23.4%
- 2.6% of short-stay residents were given antipsychotic drugs for the first time, compared to 2.3% statewide and 1.6% nationally, raising concerns over chemical restraint violations
- 47.31% of residents were at or above an expected ability to care for themselves after discharge, compared to the national average of 54.9%
- 25.3% of short-stay residents needed and received a flu shot for the current flu season, compared to 62% statewide and 79% nationally
- 21.2% of short-stay residents needed and received a vaccine to prevent pneumonia, compared to 67.6% statewide and 81.7% nationally
- 10.7% of infections that residents contracted during their stays resulted in hospitalization, compared to the national average of 7.1%
This nursing home also offers long-term care services, allowing residents to stay at the facility for an extended period. Alta Rehab at Fairmont has also struggled to provide high-quality services in this category of care:
- 2.42 hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay residents, compared to the state average of 2.00 and the national average of 1.83
- 10.6% of long-stay residents suffered from nursing home pressure ulcers, compared to the state and national average of 5.4%
- 5.8% of residents experienced one or more falls that led to major injuries, which reflects a pattern of nursing home tripping hazards when compared to the statewide rate of 3.4%
- 23.7% of residents’ ability to walk independently diminished during their stays, compared to 20.4% across Illinois and 19.4% across the United States
- 24.5% of residents experienced new or worsened bladder or bowel incontinence, compared to 21.8% statewide and 20.7% nationally
- 81% of residents experienced symptoms of depression, compared to the state average of 46.1% and the national average of 10.3%, indicating significant nursing home emotional well-being issues
A nursing home is supposed to be a place where residents feel safe and receive a high standard of care services. When licensed practical nurses, physicians, and administrators are not in accordance with these expectations, there could be legal consequences for the at-fault parties.
Residents’ Legal Rights Following Long-Term Abuse or Neglect at Alta Rehab at Fairmont in Chicago, IL
As a nursing home resident in Illinois, you are granted certain rights required by law, such as the right to quality care, the right to a dignified existence, and the right to file complaints against a nursing home. When a facility like Alta Rehab at Fairmont is not in compliance with these expectations, you could file a lawsuit against the liable parties to pursue fair compensation for legal damages.
Losses that could increase your payout typically fall into either economic or non-economic categories. Some of the most common legal damages associated with residents in nursing home claims include:
- Medical expenses (emergency room visits, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy)
- Future medical costs (for ongoing expenses that come from being treated)
- Property damage (for costs associated with lost or damaged possessions)
- Emotional distress (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, depression, self-harm, or fearfulness)
- Pain and suffering (related to physical injuries or treatment strategies, like surgery)
- Disability and disfigurement (for abuse that results in permanent alterations to your appearance or capabilities)
- Loss of enjoyment of life (an inability to experience happiness at the same level)
- Punitive damages (for cases involving gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or institutional cover-ups)
Pursuing a civil claim against a nursing home can be a challenging task for a resident or their family members. You may be facing stubborn insurance companies, insufficient evidence, or a victim who is unable to advocate for themselves.
At the Nursing Home Law Center, we know what it takes to win these cases. Our attorneys will provide a compassionate space for you to share your story of abuse or neglect, ensuring you have the chance to seek justice and fair compensation. An experienced Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can make all the difference for your lawsuit.
How Nursing Home Law Center Can Help
Whether you were neglected by a registered nurse or abused by another patient at a Chicago nursing home, the claims process can be overwhelming for survivors. Fortunately, our expert attorneys are ready to believe in your case and fight for every dollar you deserve to cover legal damages.
Our legal services include:
- Investigating abuse or neglect at Alta Rehab at Fairmont
- Gathering evidence of negligence or misconduct, such as witness statements, surveillance footage, treatment plans, and photos of injuries
- Obtaining facility documents using court subpoenas
- Assessing all legal damages to ensure maximum compensation
- Protecting your rights as a nursing home resident under state and federal laws
- Researching past complaints, inspections, and violations to establish liability
- Holding staff members and administrators accountable to improve conditions at the nursing home
- Negotiating with insurance companies to obtain full compensation
- Litigating in civil court if a settlement cannot be reached
Your Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer will work on a contingency fee basis during your case. This means you pay nothing unless we secure a favorable outcome. Additionally, payment is deducted from the final settlement amount rather than from your pocket, putting you in a stronger financial position.
We also offer a free consultation at the Nursing Home Law Center, allowing you to ask questions about the legal process with no obligation to hire. Contact us today at 800-926-7565 or complete the online form to schedule your free consultation with expert attorneys in Chicago, IL.