Elder Law

Illinois Nursing Home Violation: Camelot Terrace

By Levin & Perconti

We continue looking at the latest report of Illinois nursing homes that have been found to have violated basic laws concerning resident health, care, and safety. Camelot Terrace, a nursing home in Streator, recently received several Type ?A Violations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and fined $25,000. The violations resulted in part from the facility?s failed response to potential abuse

The nursing home?s abuse prevention plan requires that potential abuse of a resident by anyone in any form be reported immediately to the facility?s nursing director and then, subsequent an investigation, the proper legal authorities if necessary. While the nursing director is conducting an investigation into the allegation, steps were supposed to have been taken to ensure that the abuse could not continue. However, state authorities discovered that Camelot Terrace employees failed to follow this vital protocol.

One resident was discovered to have bruising around her thighs, anal area, and perineum?injuries that she did not have the night before. A certified nursing assistant informed the Director Nursing at Camelot Terrace of her concerns about the resident?s family member who was with the resident in the interim, claiming that the family member is ?always messing around with her.? The assistant was also concerned that the family member was attempting to move the resident in the improper manner?without a mechanical lift.

Other staff members also reported the resident was clearly scared any time that particular family member came to visit. They also remember additional injuries to the resident any time the family member was around. Later a nursing home employee recalls seeing the man leaving the resident?s room after being in there alone; he was zipping up his sweatshirt and visibly sweating.

As of the issuance of the citation for these issues, the aggressor had still not been contacted, questioned, or additional protection provided to the resident.

For some reason, the clear signs of sexual and or physical abuse at the facility were not considered worthy of more thorough investigation. In all circumstances, a logical, necessary response to the potential crime would have been to contact police officers immediately, seeking treatment and protection for the victim.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on November 15, 2010 (boomark / email).