Many families are horrified after learning that their loved ones are suffering serious, life-threatening bedsores that were acquired after being admitted into a nursing home, assisted living center or rehabilitation facility. Our Rockford nursing home abuse lawyers have seen a substantial increase of cases involving bed sores occurring in nursing facilities all throughout Illinois. Despite what many professional caregivers state, nearly every bedsore (pressure sore; decubitus ulcer; pressure ulcer) is preventable.
A pressure sore is a potentially deadly, extremely painful injury that can develop on the skin of an elderly, recovering or disabled individual who is bound to a wheelchair or continuously bedridden. Bedsores develop when constant pressure and weight are applied to the body that restricts the supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the resident’s underlying tissue and skin. Without much needed oxygen, the tissue perishes and breaks apart, creating an open wound. The opened area becomes highly susceptible to infection, which, without proper treatment, can lead to gangrene and eventual death.
The most common places on the body that are highly susceptible to pressure sores include areas with less muscle and body fat between the bones and the skin. This can include the shoulders, shoulder blades, tailbone, sacrum, spine, elbows, heels, ankles, toes, the back of the head, and fingers.
If your family member developed a bed sore during an admission to a Rockford, IL nursing home, you may be entitled to file a claim or lawsuit against the facility. Complete our case intake form here and an attorney will review your information and contact you shortly.
To ensure a resident’s health is not compromised, administrators and medical directors must ensure that the nursing staff providing care to non-ambulatory residents have been properly trained. This is because there are proven protocols and procedures known to diminish the risk of residents developing pressure sores. Some of these include transferring, turning and repositioning the resident who requires assistance to move.
Additionally, common hygienic, nutritional and medical care plans must be developed and implemented and then properly communicated and followed by the entire nursing staff. Any failure to provide all necessary treatments that prevent new bedsores and infections that also promotes healing has the potential of causing serious injury or death.
The Rockford nursing home neglect attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center LLC have represented many victims of nursing home neglect that caused a facility-acquired bedsore. Our seasoned Winnebago County elder abuse attorneys continuously review information concerning nursing facilities that house residents from the surrounding community including those from Rockton, Roscoe, Harrison, Durand, Seward, Machesney, Winnebago and Loves Park in Illinois along with Beloit and South Beloit, Wisconsin.
The list below outlines nursing facilities in the area that currently maintain a one star out of five possible star rating from national nursing home databases including www.Medicare.gov. Our lawyers have also listed their primary concerns involving facility-acquired bed sores reviewed by state investigators during routine surveys and unannounced inspections.
1905 W Hart Rd
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 365-2554
A “For-Profit” 152-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Follow Protocols for Treating Pressure Ulcers That Resulted in a Degrading Wound
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 02/18/2015, a notation was made during an annual licensure and certification survey by a state investigator concerning the facility’s failure to “ensure that a resident who enters the facility without pressure ulcers does not develop pressure ulcers and a resident having pressure ulcers receives necessary treatment and services to promote healing, prevent infection and prevent new ulcers from developing.” This deficient practice affected four residents at the facility.
The failure, in part, involved a resident who “did not receive appropriate care and treatment to promote healing and prevent additional pressure ulcers.” The facility also failed “to put preventative measures in place upon [the resident’s admission to the facility who has a] history and risk and the lack of appropriate care plan interventions once the areas were identified by the podiatrist created a finding of Immediate Jeopardy.”
The resident’s health was placed in Immediate Jeopardy on 01/05/2015 “when the podiatrist identified two pressure ulcers and a bruised area and the facility did not implement interventions to prevent further skin breakdown.” The state surveyor observed the resident, noting that the resident “did not have interventions in place to prevent pressure ulcers to include bilateral heels not floated [lifted from direct contact with the surface that could prevent the flow of blood to the area].”
The state surveyor conducted a 02/09/2015 interview with the facility’s interim Director of Nursing “regarding pressure prevention interventions for [the resident]. [The Director of Nursing] stated she would expect the staff to use the ordered and proper interventions to prevent skin breakdown.” In addition, the facility “did not have the clinic notes from [the resident’s] podiatry appointment on 01/20/2015 until [the information was] requested by the surveyor on 02/04/2014.
Our Beloit, Wisconsin nursing home neglect attorneys recognize that the deficient practice of not following bedsore healing protocols might be considered negligence or mistreatment, especially if the resident suffers additional injury to their wound. In addition, the failure to provide necessary treatment and services that promote healing does not follow the established procedures adopted by Beloit Health and Rehabilitation Center and directly violates state and federal nursing home regulations.
550 South Mulford Avenue
Rockford, IL 61108
(815) 484-1002
A “For-Profit” 268-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Follow Protocols for Treating Pressure Ulcers That Resulted in a Degrading Wound
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 05/05/2015, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure to “identify a deep tissue injury and pressure ulcers prior to a stage III for residents assessed as mild to moderate risk for skin breakdown.” In addition, the complaint investigation also included the facility’s failure “to ensure a resident’s wound dressing was in place to prevent wound contamination to a stage IV pressure ulcer.” The deficient practices by the facility “contributed to [a resident] developing a stage III pressure ulcer to his coccyx and sacrum and a deep tissue injury to his right heel on 04/23/2015.”
The 04/23/2015 wound assessment of the resident by the facility indicated that the resident had “a stage III pressure ulcer found on [the resident’s] coccyx” measuring 1 x 1 x 0.2 cm. “The same assessment shows [the resident] also developed a deep tissue injury to the right heel measuring 4 x 3 cm found with 100% eschar (black tissue).”
The state surveyor conducted an interview with the facility’s Behavioral Health Director (BHD) on 05/05/2015 who stated the resident “got two pressure ulcers because he was in bed all the time. [The BHD] also stated that [the resident] was on the behavioral health unit when he developed the pressure ulcers and deep tissue injury [… and stated] that the unit’s goal is to have independent residents. They have a minimum of one staff which does not have to be nursing staff [… and] confirmed that they do not use turn schedules with residents on that unit.”
Our Rockford nursing home neglect attorneys recognize that the facility failed to follow established procedures and protocols to prevent bedsores from developing and to treat existing bedsores from degrading. This deficient practice might be considered neglect or mistreatment because it violates federal and state nursing home regulations and does not follow Alden Debes Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center’s policy titled: Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Sores.
321 Arnold Avenue
Rockford, Il 61108
(815) 397-5531
A “For-Profit” 213-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare-participating facility
Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars
Primary Concerns –
Failure to Follow Protocols for Treating Pressure Ulcers that Resulted in a Degrading Wound
In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 03/17/2015, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure to “prevent the development or worsening of multiple Stage II areas and [a failure] to identify and document pressure areas prior to them becoming Unstageable or Deep Tissue Injuries.” These failures directly affected three residents at the facility “reviewed for pressure ulcers.”
The complaint investigation was initiated in part because of one incident found in the Wound Care Nursing Note dated 01/29/2015 documenting that one resident “had a stage II wound measuring 2.5 x 1.3 x 0.1 cm with undermining of 3.25 cm to his right ischium [the curved bone at the base of the pelvis]. The note identified this as a new [facility-acquired] wound” that show the tissue was composed of slough.
Three days later, on 02/04/2015, documentations made by the Wound Care Physician noted that the resident “has an unstageable (due to necrosis) [pressure ulcer] of the right ischium of at least three days duration.”
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) serves as the facility’s Wound Care Nurse. During a 03/13/2015 interview, the Wound Care Nurse stated “she felt the standardized Braden Scale did not accurately capture [the resident’s] specific risks/habits that would actually place them at a higher risk than what his Braden Scale depicted.” When asked how frequently she assesses or follows the resident’s who bordered between moderate and high risk or had deviations in scoring, the Wound Care Nurse “stated the facility does not have anything in place to distinguish special care needs for residents classified as moderate or high risk for pressure ulcer development [… and] describes the facility’s system for identification of skin issues as being dependent on the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) completing a body check sheet when residents are showered.”
During the interview, the Wound Care Nurse indicated that she had only been in the position since December 2014 and said “I really do not understand it yet.”
Our Rockford elder abuse attorneys recognize that the facility’s deficient practices to follow their own July 2014 policy titled: Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Policy and Procedure might be considered negligence or mistreatment of residents. The policy reads in part,
“The facility is to implement a standardized plan of pressure ulcer prevention based upon a reliable and valid assessment of pressure ulcer risk. All factors included in the risk assessment tool will be addressed even if the total risk score does not place the resident at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcer prevention measures will be instituted for all patients at risk. Residents with pressure ulcers will be determined to be at high risk for pressure ulcer prevention and all components of the At Risk protocol.”
1701 5th Avenue
Belvidere, Il 61008
(815) 547-5451
A “For-Profit” 80-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 04/29/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure to “assess, monitor and provide interventions to prevent the development of pressure wounds for residents at risk for skin breakdown.” The deficient practice directly affects two residents at the facility who were “reviewed for pressure ulcers.”
The complaint investigation was initiated in part due to one resident at the facility who was suffering with a stage IV facility acquired pressure ulcer. During an 04/29/2015 observation by the state surveyor, it was noted that the registered nurse (RN) on duty “change the wound dressing on [the resident’s] sacral area. [The RN] remove the foam dressing soaked with serosanguinous drainage which had leaked on to the draw sheet. The sacral wound had patches of slough scattered on different areas of the wound bed. [The RN] said the wound is Stage IV and is facility-acquired [… and] remarked it has some tunneling too.”
The state surveyor conducted an interview with the RN on 04/28/2015 where the RN indicated “that she was unaware of the wound until it was reported to her on 03/10/2015 [… when] the wound was documented as unstageable with 100% eschar. [The RN also] stated the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are to notify the nurse of a new problem area as soon as it is identified. The nurse is to assess and document the wound in the progress note and notify the physician for orders. The nurses then are to give a copy of the initial assessment to the Director of Nursing.”
The state surveyor conducted an interview with the facility’s Director of Nursing on 04/29/2015 where it was revealed that “the CNAs should be reporting to the nurses any skin issues they see on a resident during shower or personal care. The Director of Nursing stated she is aware [that] the facility staff are not identifying pressure ulcers until they have progressed to an unstageable or deep tissue injury.” The state surveyor also noted that the resident at risk had “no care plan or interventions were developed until after [this resident’s] Stage IV pressure ulcer was identified.”
Our Belvidere nursing home neglect attorneys recognize that the failures of the facility and nursing staff to follow protocols might be considered mistreatment or negligence. The deficient practice does not follow the facility’s own policy titled: Skin Assessment Policy and Procedures that reads in part:
“Skin check to be performed with daily cares. Changes or concerns [are] to be communicated through Point of Care Alerts or by a licensed nurse via the Body Audit Form. Additionally, all results will have a documented weekly review of skin condition utilizing the CNA Shower Sheets.”
A review of the injured resident’s 02/13/2015, 02/27/2015 and 03/06/2015 Shower Sheets and Skin Reports “all document no problem. The shower and skin reports are documented by the CNAs and signed off by the nurses.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulates long-term care nursing homes, assisted living centers and rehabilitation facilities nationwide. In conjunction with state surveyors, the federal government maintains established guidelines, procedures and protocols to ensure that every resident admitted to the facility without a bedsore does not develop one during their stay. However, many nursing facilities are understaffed or do not provide adequate training to ensure that every resident receives necessary treatments and care to avoid the development of a pressure ulcer.
Some of the federal government guidelines and regulations that outline traditional risk factors for developing bedsores include:
The sure way to prevent a loved one from experiencing a facility-acquired pressure sore is to serve as an advocate on their behalf. However, this means becoming active in their daily lives to ensure that the nursing staff is providing proper care at every level.
If you are suspicious that your loved one is the victim of neglect by the nursing team and has developed the beginning stages of a new bedsore or has an existing sore that is not healing properly, it is imperative to take immediate legal action. Hiring an attorney can help. Many families choose to hire a lawyer as an advocate for their loved one, who can provide various legal options to hold those at fault for causing harm legally and financially accountable.
If your loved one has developed a bedsore after being admitted to a Rockford nursing facility, the Illinois nursing home abuse attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center LLC can take immediate legal steps to help. Our Rockford team of dedicated skilled attorneys have years of experience handling cases involving facility acquired pressure ulcers occurring in nursing facilities throughout Winnebago County. Our network of attorneys can investigate the unacceptable behavior of the nursing staff and administrators and file a claim/lawsuit on your behalf to obtain the financial recompense you deserve to cover your losses, injuries and harm. Contact us today!
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:
We urge you to contact our Illinois elder abuse law office at (800) 926-7565. Schedule your free full case review appointment to speak with one of our experienced lawyers today. We accept all facility-acquired bedsore cases, nursing home abuse claims and wrongful death lawsuits through contingency fee agreements. This means we provide you immediate legal representation without any payment of an upfront fee.
Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld
Licensed in Illinois
Chicago Attorney Nursing Home Law Center LLC Home