All bedsores are caused by excessive weight and pressure against the individual skin that causes a restriction in the flow of blood to the skin and underlying tissue. When left untreated, a bedsore (decubitus ulcer; pressure ulcer; pressure sore) can become infected, causing sepsis, osteomyelitis and, eventually, death. Pressure sores are preventable in their early stages, meaning any developing bedsore might be an indicator that your loved one residing in a nursing home is being neglected by the staff.
In fact, the Peoria nursing home bed sore attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center LLC are witnessing a significant rise in civil cases involving nursing home negligence throughout Illinois. Contact our center and an attorney will review your case for Free.
Mobility challenged residents are often highly susceptible to developing pressure sores, as are individuals with medical conditions that deteriorate the integrity of their skin. Pressure sores are categorized by the medical establishment in four different stages. At Stage I, the pressure sore appears as a slight or mild alteration in the discoloration and texture of the skin compared to the surrounding area, where the skin might feel slightly warm to the touch. If allowed to degrade to Stage II, the pressure sore will begin to develop an ulcer that appears like a blister or crater.
By Stage III, the pressure ulcer appears much deeper, often exposing connective tissue just below the deep layers of skin. At Stage IV (often referred to as unstageable) the pressure ulcer is so degraded that bone and muscle are revealed. At stages II, III and IV, decubitus ulcers are excruciatingly painful and life-threatening.
Our Peoria elder abuse attorneys serve as advocates for every Illinois nursing home resident who is neglected or in fear of being neglected by the nursing staff. Our goals involve holding those at fault for causing your harm legally and financially accountable. In addition to seeking recovery for your damages, we will also report your case to the proper authority to prevent other Illinois nursing facilities from ever engaging in similar unacceptable behavior.
In addition, our Peoria County nursing home lawyers continuously review information of nursing homes throughout the state that has been harvested from national and state databases including Medicare.gov. This publicly available data reveals opened investigations, filed complaints and health concerns occurring in nursing facilities nationwide. Many families use this valuable information to help make their decision of where to place a loved one require the best nursing care available.
Our Illinois nursing home abuse attorneys have posted the information below outlining nursing facilities throughout the Peoria area that currently maintain a one star out of five possible star rating. In addition, our network of attorneys has added our primary concerns involving reports and investigations involving bedsores at these nursing homes.
5600 Glen Elm Drive
Peoria, IL 61614
(309) 693-8777
A “For-Profit” 144-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Ensure Residents Receive Proper Treatment to Prevent New Bedsores or Heal Existing Pressure Sores
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 08/05/2014, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility’s failure to “prevent cross-contamination during pressure sore treatments.” This deficient practice affected one resident at the facility “review for pressure sores.”
The deficient practice was noted after a state surveyor reviewed the records of a resident including a 07/29/2014 Wound Care Specialist Evaluation documenting that the resident “has a stage IV pressure wound of the left heel of at least 170 days duration. There is moderate serous exudate associated with the wound.”
A 07/31/2014 11:30 AM observation of a Wound Care Nurse and Registered Nurse at the facility noted that the medical professionals “cleansed [the resident’s] heel wound. Wearing the same contaminated gloves, [the registered nurse] tore a piece off of the collagen matrix sheet and apply the torn piece of the wound bed of the [resident’s] heel. [The RN] also touched the role of tape, (wound) low-flow oxygen tubing and machine, foam dressing and [the resident’s] sock with contaminated gloves.”
During an interview with the Registered Nurse occurring on 07/31/2014 at 11:35 AM, the nurse indicated “that she would change gloves after cleaning a wound if the wound had a lot of drainage. [The RN] stated that only a small amount of drainage was present when [the nurse] cleansed [the resident’s] wound.
The state surveyor conducted in 08/05/2014 10:50 AM interview with the facility’s Director of Nursing who stated “that she expects nurses to wash your hands and apply new gloves after cleaning a wound and before applying medications or dressings to a wound.”
In a second incident occurring on 08/05/2014, a review of a Wound Care Specials Evaluation documents that a resident “has a stage III pressure wound of the coccyx of at least 67 days duration. [The resident’s] wound culture dated 07/28/2014 documents Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.” During a wound debridement procedure with the facility’s Wound Physician on 08/05/2014 at 8:30 AM, a facility Registered Nurse and Wound Nurse touched the resident’s “gown and bare right leg with her gloved hands and then applied silver hydrogel to her [the RN] contaminated, glove, right index finger [and] then applied silver hydrogel to [the resident’s] freshly debrided coccyx wound with her contaminated, gloved index finger.”
Later in the day at 10:30 AM, the same Registered Nurse “stated that she did not change your gloves after touching [the resident’s] gown and bare leg and before applying the silver hydrogel directly to [the resident’s] freshly to bright coccyx wound because [the nurse] did not consider [the resident] to be contaminated.”
Our Peoria nursing home neglect attorneys recognize that any failure to follow protocols when providing treatment to residents with pressure sores might be considered negligence or mistreatment. In addition, the deficient practice of failing to follow policies to avoid cross-contamination violates the established policies adopted by Heartland of Peoria, especially the December 2009 policy titled: Dressing Change Policy that reads in part that the staff is to:
“Cleanse wound… remove gloves and perform hand hygiene… (then) apply… gloves… and apply dressing per physician’s orders.”
191 East Queenwood Road
Morton, IL 61550
(309) 266-5331
A “For-Profit” 166-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Assess, Implement Interventions and Follow Protocols Involving a Resident with the Skin Change to Ensure the Development of a Pressure Ulcer Is Avoided
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 07/24/2014, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility’s failure to “accurately assess, implement interventions, notify the physician of changes in skin condition, update the care plan of changes in skin condition, and document as required by their facility policy to prevent the development of a pressure ulcer.” This deficient practice directly involved one resident at the facility “review for pressure ulcers.”
The deficient practice was noted after the facility’s failure resulted in a resident “developing two stage III pressure ulcers.” The state surveyor conducted a review of the resident’s 06/12/2014 through 07/11/2014 Physician Order Sheet and a statement by the facility’s Restorative/Wound Nurse on 06/16/2014 at 9:07 AM stating that the resident “had no pressure ulcers.”
The state surveyor also reviewed the 07/16/2015 Pressure Ulcer Report noting that it contains “no documentation of pressure areas for [the resident]. On 06/18/2014 8:45 AM, [the facility’s] Restorative/Wound Nurse stated [the resident] is a high risk for the development of pressure ulcers due to [the resident’s] immobility and past skin issues, including a pressure ulcer in July 2014.” However, the resident’s Braden Scale assessed on 07/22/2013, 10/16/2013, 01/10/2014 and 04/04/2014 document that the resident “is a moderate risk for pressure ulcer development.”
The state surveyor reviewed the 06/07/2015 Nurse’s Notes as written by the facility’s Licensed Practical Nurse who documented “areas on both in her buttocks have superficial open areas, skin peeling, small amount of bleeding. Areas clean and dressing applied at this time.”
An observation made by the Licensed Practical Nurse on 06/19/2014 11:42 AM indicated that the resident “had a new area to the left and right buttocks on 06/07/2014. It was open and draining. Very excoriated like a diaper rash. I [the licensed practical nurse (LPN)] applied barrier cream and cover the area with gauze.” However, the LPN “did not notify [the resident’s] physician or the wound nurse of the change in [the resident’s] skin condition on 06/07/2014.” In addition, the facility’s Restorative/Wound Nurse stated in a 06/18/2014 2:10 PM interview that they “were unaware of [the resident’s] skin issues on 06/07/2014 [and] stated that [the wound nurse] would expect to be notified of [the resident’s] skin issues [on that day].”
On 06/17/2014, the facility’s Wound Nurse “perform a dressing change to [the resident’s] right buttocks pressure ulcer [noting that] the denuded areas to [the resident’s] left and right buttocks progressed and developed into two stage III pressure ulcers sometime between 06/12/2014 and 06/16/2014.” However, “medical records for [the resident] for that time frame contain no documentation of [the resident’s] buttocks being assessed or any worsening of [the resident’s] skin.
An interview with the resident’s physician on 06/17/2014 at 1:25 PM indicated that the physician “was not notified of [the resident’s] change in skin condition on 06/07/2014 and also stated [the resident’s] rapid progression of the denuded area to [their] left and right buttocks to two Stage III pressure ulcers was avoidable.”
Our Morton nursing home neglect attorneys recognize the failure of the nursing staff to follow established procedures, policies and protocols adopted by Morton Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Centre. The deficient practice may be considered negligence or mistreatment because it specifically violates the facility’s policies titled revised May 2014 Wound Care Policy and revise October 2010 Pressure Ulcer Policy that both state:
“Documentation in the clinical record may include: the type of wound care given, the date and time the wound care was given, the position in which the resident was placed, the name and the title of the person performing the wound care, and any changes to the residents condition, all assessment data obtained when inspecting the wound, how the resident tolerated the procedure, any problems or complaints made by the resident during the procedure, if the resident refused the procedure and the reasons why, and the signature and title of the person recording the data.”
3611 North Rochelle
Peoria, IL 61604
(309) 688-4412
A “For-Profit” 98-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Follow Protocols and Procedures to Treat a Resident with an Existing Bedsore to Ensure It Heals Properly
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 07/05/2012, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility’s failure to “follow their pressure sore protocol to properly notify and document any new skin conditions for [one resident at the facility] review for pressure ulcers.” The findings include that the resident “has been identified on the 06/25/2012 weekly decubitus list as having a stage III decubitus acquired in-house located on a right buttock.”
The deficient practice was noted by the state surveyor after a 07/03/2012 9:30 AM observation of a resident “receiving personal hygiene and repositioning bed provided by [2 certified nursing assistants (CNAs).” During the observation, both CNAs “verified that the dressing on the right buttock was intact and that she had multiple round open areas on the left buttocks.”
During an interview conducted with the Registered Nurse (RN) at the facility on 07/05/2012 11:50 AM, the RN stated that one of the CNAs “told her about the open areas on [the resident posse is] bottom at around 3 PM on 07/03/2013 and that she [the Registered Nurse] put barrier cream on the areas and reported to the [Director of Nursing].” However, the Registered Nurse “said she did not make a note in the resident’s records but did report defining on the shift change 24 hour report sheet.”
A follow-up interview with the Certified Nursing Assistant on 07/05/2012 at 12:10 PM “verified that neither [CNAs] had completed a skin check paper to identify the area in question on the required CNA weekly shower/body check sheet on 07/03/2012.
Our Peoria elder abuse attorneys recognize that failing to follow protocols when providing treatment for existing bedsores could cause additional harm and might involve negligence or mistreatment. This is because the nursing staff failed to follow established procedures, protocols and policies adopted by Sharon Health Care Elms, especially the facility’s decubitus care policy titled: Reporting and Documentation that states in part:
“The following information should be reported to the staff/charge nurse and should be documented in the resident’s record when applicable: 1) any change in the resident’s skin [i.e. the size and location of any red or tender areas.)” And “4) observations of any unusual exhibited by the resident.”
Skilled attorneys working on behalf of victims of nursing home neglect often demonstrate how the actions of the facility, nursing staff and employees acted in a way that caused the resident harm. The administration might be at fault for negligent hiring by filling positions with individuals who have not receive adequate training or are not properly qualified. In some cases, nursing homes are liable because they failed to perform a required background check and a resident or residents were harmed as a result. The nursing home can be found legally liable when an adequate training of the facility’s staff leads to an injury or harm of the resident.
The nursing home administrators, managers and directors might also be found negligent if the facility is understaffed. Failing to provide enough Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Wound Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, physical therapists and others might be considered negligence if residents are harmed because there is not adequate staff to meet their health and hygiene needs.
The nursing staff also has a legal responsibility to ensure that every resident receives proper medication at the proper dosage as prescribed by their physician. Any error in administering prescriptions that causes the resident injury might be seen as a negligent action of the nursing staff, Director of Nursing, Administrator or others. The origin of the prescription drug error can occur at any point of its delivery from the prescribing doctor to the pharmacy or the pharmacist the bill the prescription down to the nursing staff in charge of storing, labeling and administering the drug to the resident according to protocols.
If your loved one acquired a bedsore after they were admitted to a Peoria skilled nursing facility facility or is suffering the excruciating pain of an integrating pressure sore, hiring an attorney to provide legal intermediation can help. The Peoria nursing home abuse attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center LLC can report cases of neglect, abuse or mistreatment to proper authorities. Our team of dedicated nursing home lawyers can ensure the rights of the victim are protected and that all reports, documents and evidence is not altered or lost.
We urge you to contact our Peoria County elder abuse law office at (800) 926-7565. Schedule your appointment today to speak with one of our experienced lawyers for your free full case review. We handle all nursing home neglect cases, wrongful death lawsuits and personal injury claims using contingency fee arrangements. This means we provide you and your family immediate legal representation and are only paid for our services after we negotiate your acceptable out of court settlement or win a jury award in a successful lawsuit trial. Learn about our experience resolving bed sore cases here. For discussion of Illinois bed sore case values, review our bed sore case calculator here.
Should you have questions about Illinois law related to pressure sores, view our page here.
For information on bed sores and nursing home negligence in other Illinois cities, please review the pages below:
Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld
Licensed in Illinois
Illinois Lawyer Nursing Home Law Center LLC Home